Ms Catherine Cox:

That says it all. That is how so many carers are feeling. Senator McGreehan has asked what can be done. Certainly we could have a meeting with the Minister. We would like to see what the court rules would entail and what a family carer will have to do to go to court. Would it be an ex parteform? Would it be a simple form to be filled in? We will support them through Family Carers Ireland. The UK has a number of forms. How will the criteria be determined as to whether a person needs a decision-making representative? All of this is in the ether. The Decision Support Service has done amazing work in bringing what awareness it can to the public but it does not have the court rules either. We have been calling for them. I imagine the Court Service and the legal system are also wondering where they are. We need to see them. A meeting with the Minister would be extremely useful so we can put these issues to him.