Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I missed some of the answers. I wish to pick up on the culture issue. Mr. Gibson has rightly told us about the large number of placements and so forth that are good, where the children are being well looked after. We know that is the case with most of the children who are in care in one way or another. My initial questions were focused on where that is not the case and where there is a serious risk. That is why I asked the questions around where there is an escalation when somebody expresses a concern from the outside. Will Mr. McBride give us an undertaking that he will, and does, respond in those situations? That is the reason I raised the issue of training as well. The witnesses spoke about a collaborative approach with the Garda, education, the community, families and so forth. That will only work if people feel their concerns are receiving a genuine response.

Deputy Funchion and Senator Devine spoke about people feeling closed off when they raise these matters. They are being told, "we are handling it so go away". I wish to pursue that point with the witnesses. Where there is genuine concern, and it is nearly always a genuine concern although there might be very occasional situations where it is not, that decisions might be putting children at risk or leaving them in risky situations, there should be an openness that complaints will be followed up and responded to and an openness to engaging with the people who express those concerns. That is what concerns me. I acknowledge the good work we have heard about from the witnesses this morning. However, we as public representatives have a duty to ensure that there are no children falling through the cracks and being put into serious situations. I seek an assurance that the witnesses will respond where there are concerns from outside sources.