Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their testimonies. I read their opening statements this morning in preparation for this meeting. My blood was boiling. I am a relatively new Deputy - I was elected a year ago this month - and this is my first time being a committee member. I struggled last week when I heard the Ombudsman for Children say that moving a child from one list to another was just an old-fashioned three-card trick. Today's testimonies compound that statement. It is worrying.

I will ask four questions of the witnesses. I imagine Enough is Enough and the others feel like it is like Groundhog Day, with them having to tell their stories time and again to a load of politicians and hoping that something will change. I have been on the other side. I was involved in campaigns, not concerning children, but other issues about which I and my party were passionate. Just keep at it. Things will get better if there is enough political will.

Regarding the new standard operation procedures, I believe it was mentioned that parents must fill out some of the report themselves. Will Enough is Enough elaborate and tell me how difficult doing that is? Will it lead to more unmet needs for children? I am seeing another three-card trick. It is a way of ticking a box and saying something is done without there being any follow-up.

Mr. Noble spoke about a cross-party motion. I like that idea. It is relevant and something that our committee could pursue. Has support from parties been received or has there been a conversation with them? Would members of this committee be interested in supporting it? We in Sinn Féin would be in favour of it.

The barrier in the HSE to implementing the Disability Act was mentioned. What are the witnesses' thoughts on that? Why is that the case? Is it down to money, staff or political will? Why is there a reluctance to implement the Act?

My final question is for Mr. Smyth. The report of the Psychological Society of Ireland discussed psychology, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy services. These services are better in some areas than others. Has there been any research into why some areas are outperforming others and whether their services can be replicated? If a service is working, leave it working. If it is not working, we should find out how others are doing better. We need to move away from the postcode politics of people getting better services depending on where they live.