Ms Joanna O'Riordan:

Senator Kelleher asked about the issue of independence and how that can best be guaranteed. The proposed authority will be required to investigative reports of abuse or harm, and direct the HSE and others to act. It is important that the authority is legally separate from the Civil Service. It must not just be independent but it must also be perceived by citizens as independent. To go back to the Government guidelines on agency rationalisation and restructuring, they recognise that a separate body is required where there is a need for this independence in the delivery of functions of a service. That means that a separate agency or incorporating the safeguarding authority into an existing agency is the most likely option. I do not think that incorporating it into the HSE or having it as part of a Government Department can guarantee the independence that is needed.