Mr. Phelim Quinn:

The chief inspector of social services is a statutory post-holder directly responsible to the Houses of the Oireachtas. It is for that reason that I wanted her to provide the members with some direct information on the statutory role that she provides.

As a regulator of health and social care services we cannot give absolute assurance. It is our responsibility to provide assessments of compliance with regulations and standards and report on these, and to take subsequent action to ensure compliance is achieved through the enforcement contained in the legislation. I really would like to take the opportunity, if possible, to pass to my colleague to give the Deputy some further details.