Ms Catherine Ghent:

It has to be an independent body. Tusla cannot do it as that would be a complete conflict of interest. It needs to uphold standards. Solicitors are accountable to the Law Society of Ireland. Everyone is accountable to his or her professional body, which is absolutely appropriate and has to be done. Standards have to be set. We would really welcome it because I have experienced different standards.

What Ms Charles says about the voice is the guardian ad litem'sjob, to explain to the child and reassure him or her. I had a conversation with a guardian ad litemon that issue, saying a child thought courts had judges who dealt with baddies and jail sentences. She had to say to the child in question that it was about hearing the child, that the child should not feel under pressure and that if the child did not feel they could go, they could write a letter or tell the guardian ad litemwho would do it. That reflects the need for standards, preparation and accountability in order that if a child has a bad experience, the question of why it happened will be raised and examined by a regulatory authority. There is a complaints mechanism, oversight and regulations, which is very important.