Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for meeting with us today. I will start with FairPlé, and perhaps Dr. Casey, Ms Ní Charra or Ms Cusack can answer. Will they comment on the Minister's response to the Speak Up: A Call for Change report? They hinted that deficiencies remain. What are those deficiencies? As we are pushed for time, I will go through my questions and then allow the witnesses to answer. In a follow-up to that, have the witnesses any detail on what kind of agency should be created to deal with complaints? In the briefing document, section 16.3, it was mentioned that the Minister did not provide for an anonymous centralised reporting facility, and it outlines in some detail in sections 35 to 43 the need for a statutory independent body. Will the witnesses outline information in that regard?

The witnesses also spoke about funding and how it needs to be drastically increased and how it is woefully inadequate. Do they know what the funding gap is, between what is provided now and what is needed going forward? Can we have a breakdown on that?

In regard to MiseFosta, Ms Ní Nualláin mentioned in her opening statement that she supports the ITI's work but that there is much more to be done. Will she expand on that?

In regard to Comhaltas, my question was on policies, protections and procedures and these have been answered.