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

I thank all the witnesses. As they are probably aware, we are at the end of this phase of our pre-legislative scrutiny and of hearing from witnesses. During this process, we have received many different and contradictory opinions. Having these witnesses at the same meeting is a good development, because they have different opinions on various aspects of this proposed legislation.

On that note, I wish to tease out some of those differences. Taking the last statement made by Mr Farelly, in respect of the commission wishing "to reiterate that the substantial changes proposed with regard to children should be pursued and introduced as the current provisions are hopelessly inadequate", I ask him to expand on that and explain to us what changes should be introduced. Would these include the prohibition on admitting children into adult facilities? Regarding mental health reform, what safeguards could be put in place to stop this practice occurring?