Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Shannon again for an excellent presentation. He spoke earlier about the children's referendum and putting children's rights at the core of our Constitution but that was not reflected by the practical considerations for children across the State who are left in a very vulnerable position. As Dr. Shannon said, he revealed many unpalatable truths across Irish society.

I have a few questions, the first of which relates to the PULSE system and follows on from Deputy Daly's comments. In Dr. Shannon's view, is it possible to rectify PULSE as it is currently constructed in terms of its foundation and so on? Throughout the report and in his presentation today, it appears there are core systemic problems with PULSE. What is Dr. Shannon's gut view? Does he believe it can become best practice around section 12 cases and child protection because it seems to be failing children in that vulnerable scenario? If it is not there to capture the data, it is not achieving its purpose.

My other question is on Tusla. Dr. Shannon mentioned the mystification and the lack of feedback and follow-through by Tusla officials. Has that been rectified or has there been any follow-through by Tusla in his interaction with it? I would say that is a concern for members of An Garda Síochána who are left in a vacuum where they do not know what has been the follow-through. I know anecdotally that in certain instances, Tusla has not acted as it should have when gardaí referred cases on to it. If gardaí are left in that vacuum and there is not a cycle and follow-through, even when a section 12 power has been used appropriately, that is a serious concern. Has there been follow-through in the interim period before we see best practice in co-location occurring?

Dr. Shannon referred to alcohol being one of the main issues around child protection. We have a number of items of legislation coming before the Oireachtas but what legislative measures would he wish to see prioritised or initiated that are not currently on the legislative priority list? We have the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill and other legislation but on a legislative basis what specifically would help in terms of the alcohol issue?

I have some concerns about Dr. Shannon's reference to the reluctance by An Garda Síochána to use section 12 powers and how they have gone from a double to a triple reluctance in that regard. That is very worrying. We should have a framework that gives confidence to members of An Garda Síochána to act when they know a serious situation is occurring and there is a deficit in training and child protection. At least they will know how to follow best practice and utilise a particular code but if they are left in a vacuum in respect of a lack of education and training, there will be a reluctance and doubt on their behalf on when to use it or act appropriately. Have there been changes in the training in child protection and the deficit Dr. Shannon mentioned in his report?