Ms Joanna O'Riordan:

On the question of HIQA and its resources, absolutely, further research will need to be done. If HIQA is given a new service that it has to deliver, it will need to be given new resources commensurate with the new responsibilities.

We would need to look at its existing organisational arrangements, organisational capacity, governance, the capacity of its board and consultation and co-operation with other bodies and at logistics around accommodation. As I said, extensive further research would be required before a decision could be made to give this new proposed service to an existing agency, most likely HIQA. That would need to be weighed against whether it would be better to establish it as separate authority. There are examples of services being merged into existing public services within the local government sector and the resources going with them. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland merging into the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, would be an example. There is practice and learning around agencies taking on new services. However, there is more research required. The area of mandatory reporting and safeguarding is not my area of expertise. Perhaps Mr. Redmond can comment.