Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Given the hour, I will try to be brief. I join in the welcome to Dr. Muldoon and Ms Ward. I also welcome the report, No End in Site. Our aim and aspiration is to have action now on this matter and for this parliamentary term to be remembered as the term in which the question of Traveller accommodation was properly taken on.

Dr. Muldoon mentioned that he will engage in follow-up meetings. I understand his remarks on the importance of implementation. I agree that the process should be consultative and that we should try to coax people towards achieving results using the carrot rather than the stick until such time as the stick is required. Should the need for the stick arise - we pray that will not be the case - Dr. Muldoon will bring a report to the Oireachtas. I should, perhaps, know the answer to the following question, but what is the limit of the statutory obligations or powers of the Ombudsman for Children? If a report is presented to the Oireachtas, does this then become a discretionary matter for the Oireachtas? Does the Oireachtas have anything more than a moral obligation to act on Dr. Muldoon's findings? I ask Dr. Muldoon to outline the law around that as I am sure people watching online might also like to know that.

The case has been well made by so many. All children must have play areas. This is fundamental to their development and growth. They must have proper housing, healthy housing conditions and housing that is no different to that of anybody else. These things should be a given in this century in light of the level of resources available. It has to be our ambition and aim to achieve a set of actions that bring this about. I wish Dr. Muldoon and Ms Ward well in their coaxing process. I would welcome a response on where they can go with the stick if the carrot fails. Were the public to bring pressure on the various elected representatives that would have an implication too, but that is probably not likely in the short term and so we do need to deal with it this way.

I welcome the report. We need to ensure it is implemented. If there is any way that we can fit into the process, including by way of direct engagement, we should do so.