Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I turn to the officials, notwithstanding anything Deputy Kelly has said. Most of the submissions we have received and the oral evidence we have heard today has been clear there is a concern around that onus being entirely on one agency, particularly an agency that has not played this type of role before on a statutory basis. What is the Department's view on other parties being in a position to make an application to the court? Those parties could include relatives of the children or others with a material interest, such as educators or healthcare workers. Perhaps even a presiding judge in a case might feel the issues are profound and would want to direct this to be brought to the family courts. I ask the Department, first, if there is a willingness to explore an expansion of those who can make the case. Then I gather Mr. French wants to make a comment as well.