Frances Black (Independent)

I am not a member of the committee, so I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to come in. This is a really important issue. I want to thank all the witnesses for the phenomenal work they are doing in this area. Their dedication and commitment are phenomenal.

I cannot believe we are here again discussing this issue. My colleague, former Senator Colette Kelleher, introduced this legislation in 2017. I have to pay credit to her. That was really important.

Without doubt, safeguarding our older vulnerable citizens should not just be a policy issue. It is a moral obligation on all of us. Vulnerable citizens have built this country. They are our mothers, fathers and grandparents and we have to take care of them. That is the reality. They deserve to live their later lives away from fear and neglect and we have to move beyond this debate and take concrete action.

I have three questions. The first I will put to Ms Rickard-Clarke. Does she have confidence in building on the structure and processes that are already in place to protect against abuse and ensure prompt action?

I do not mind who answers my second question. I remember when we were introducing the domestic violence legislation around coercive control. The then Senator Kelleher raised amending the legislation around coercive control of all vulnerable adults. Is that something the witnesses would recommend? It would mean the legislation would have to be amended. It is something we could possibly take action on immediately.

I will have to run out the door at about two minutes to 12 noon but my last question is around prevention. I would like the witnesses to expand a little. They said prevention was the best cure for everything. Will they speak more about prevention and how they see that? I have loads of other questions and I wish I had an hour with the witnesses but those are my three questions.