Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There would have been a time when I would have thought legislation would sort everything. I look at the assessment of needs, and I see around 18,500 children for year end. That is not solving anything. That is the unfortunate thing, and I have legislation there. That is the problem. Do I think the optional protocol is the right way to go? I do. It raises the bar. It means then that, as opposed to the Minister writing on an annual basis in a "do not forget me in the budget" type of effort, it is actually at the front of an agenda. It then becomes part of circulars and regulation. I do not need local authorities to then spend some of their money on training and awareness when one is trying to put in a bit of a footpath. There would be clear understanding and direction right across all Departments. "Yes" is the answer to that, so I have answered that question as best I can. I cannot do it on my own.

I am well supported by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman. It is important for me to say that. I am really well-supported, and hence he has looked for the scoping on it. The two of us sing from that same hymn sheet, and feel very strongly in this regard.