Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Turning to risk, part of the responsibility of board members in respect of due diligence, etc., is risk assessment. Regarding the risk potentially created for board members, there is a risk associated with any public body or scheme in respect of the public duties concerning equality and human rights. Equally, the UNCRPD is law. The optional protocol will mean that individuals will be able to seek vindication under that rubric. It was mentioned that an incredibly high volume of complaints was made to the Ombudsman. As board members, was it the witnesses' sense that the decision not to address the issue was creating an inappropriate risk regarding the performance of the functions they were asked to undertake?