Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Before bringing in Deputy Daly, I have a couple of questions myself and then we might have short, specific single points to wrap it up. Did Dr. Shannon have a specific period to address in terms of section 12? A significant part of the work references 2014. In his opening remarks he speaks also about the period going into 2015. Was there a specific period in time and was that his determination or something that was preset in terms of reference?

Dr. Shannon has indicated that the report was published in May but the sign-off was in January, as the document states, but he concluded, published and presented it. To whom did he present the report? I presume it was to the Office of the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice and Equality. Will Dr. Shannon elaborate on that and let us know to whom the report was presented? Our awareness of it arose out of a previous presentation on Dr. Shannon's own behalf. It is clear that its importance and relevance, particularly the whole section relating to the PULSE section, was apparent to the members of this committee. We welcome the opportunity to tease that out with him today.

Apart from the answers he has given, Dr. Shannon is aware or is being told that an implementation plan has been prepared or is in preparation. Does he have any other evidence that anything has changed in terms of his role as special rapporteur? Has there been even anecdotal feedback from people such as someone in a child carer position or from NGOs in this regard? Is there any evidence that actions are being taken on foot of his recommendations given that it is now September?

There were 595 reported incidents in 2014. I think a small number of those would be repeats. That is what I have noted from the report. However, the greater number - more than 500 - were individual cases. It has been referenced by colleagues here, but 31 children are unaccounted for on the PULSE system since being taken from their parents or guardians under section 12. I say that both in terms of their pre-history - before the section 12 being exercised - and since.

Dr. Shannon states in his report that no subsequent history was noted of them being removed by members of An Garda Síochána. In the case of that particular cohort, have their stories or circumstances been followed up in any particular way? Has Dr. Shannon initiated inquiries through An Garda Síochána about these cases? From reading the report, it strikes me that these children are missing. I do not mean to be alarmist in using that language but section 12 was exercised and, to the best of our knowledge, these children's current whereabouts have not been recorded on the PULSE system and are, therefore, not identifiable.

Thirty-one children is a significant number. In my view, one child is too many but 31 is incredible. Has Dr. Shannon any information to indicate that the PULSE system on these cases has been updated? Did he have the opportunity to identify why this particular group of 31 children was not included in the system? Is there a common denominator in their cases? Were they particular to an area, a region or a city? Was there another common denominator regarding their personal profiles? Why did 31 children have no prior or subsequent historical notes recorded?

Is there anything else that Dr. Shannon would like to add in respect of this part of his report? He laid a powerful emphasis on the importance of inter-agency co-operation and comprehensive training in child protection as an integral part of the training for new Garda members coming through Templemore College. He indicated he has engaged as a potential participant in that regard. Is that something he expects will be part of the programme of training in the near future if it is not already? What about training the large number of existing members of An Garda Síochána in the whole area of section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991?