Joan Freeman (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know Mr. Finlay of old and admire his work hugely, as I also admire the Children's Rights Alliance. I have no fear of what the witnesses are saying here today. I admire what they are saying and doing.

I have a couple of questions, though, probably arising out of my own ignorance. Mr. Finlay mentioned that Barnardos has a panel of 32 guardians ad litemworking with 800 children each year. If it comes to pass that we are going to have a guardian ad litemfor every single child who needs our help - we are talking about thousands of children - how are we going to do that? How are we going to have the manpower to be able to look after all these children?

In the past, we have trusted social workers, Tusla and lots of other organisations with the care of our children, yet we have been let down badly in so many cases. Although, with the mother and baby homes situation, we seem to be talking about events that happened more than 50 years ago, our digging is getting nearer and nearer to the present day. Who is going to scrutinise the guardians? Is there going to be a body that will oversee them and ensure that we do not make the same mistake again of trusting without even looking at the possible dangers that can evolve?

I fully agree that it should be a separate body to deal with the financial aspect of funding this. It should not be Tusla. The almost incestuous integration of what is happening in the HSE and bodies like this is too much. We need to have something that is separate, for the children only and nothing else. If the witnesses need any backing or support on that issue I will be happy to give my voice.