Ms Fiona Finn:

From memory - and I may be incorrect - the Refugee Act 1996 set out who should be part of that board. In general, its function was just to oversee the determinations process and consider asylum policy. The board was to meet every two years and to lay a report before the Oireachtas. It was a very good model because there was accountability for decision makers. The board was to meet four times a year. We were looking at the advisory board. Given the fact that there are a number of other agencies involved in the delivery of direct provision, including Tusla to deal with issues arising specifically around children as well as bodies dealing with LGBTQ issues, we may be looking at broadening that advisory board with reference to something like the model of the working group. For all its faults and failings, the working group worked very well as a cross-departmental body. A board might meet quarterly with reports being provided by each relevant Department on progress and issues arising and that information might then be made public. There is a very strong case to be made for looking in particular at the actual protection process for determinations whereby the model set out in the 1996 Act is followed to provide a biannual report to be laid before the Oireachtas. That would provide a strong degree of oversight.