David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

We already identified the weaknesses in the past few years and in the past few weeks when HIQA was before the committee. HIQA cannot investigate individual complaints. We do not have a single independent safeguarding authority that can deal with safeguarding. The problems have been acknowledged.

The Law Reform Commission report makes an interesting point. It stresses the need for adequate resourcing and changes in culture, which I think are equally important. I noticed the opening statement by the IASW called for mandatory reporting. I do not see that in the statement from Safeguarding Ireland and I am trying to tease out whether there is a difference of opinion on the need for mandatory reporting. I will come to Ms Walker-Strong first about why IASW feels it would be an important element of any safeguarding legislation.