Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This committee is well aware of the changes behind the scenes that are dictating many of these circumstances. Some of the decisions, rulings or opinions expressed in the court reflect the new situation but I do not believe the witnesses should be as defensive as they are. We are making these points not so they can be taken out and shot as a result but to say that the Courts Service has to recognise that, given the new thinking and the fact that there is now recognition of how these things should be treated, we have to take corrective action and recognise that the needs of people who were in the system before and who have had negative experiences need to be taken into account. That is why we are raising this. We know the circumstances have changed.