Ms Patricia Rickard-Clarke:

The Law Reform Commission made a statement that it recommends universal mandatory reporting in the adult safeguarding context should not be introduced in Ireland. Obviously, we look at other jurisdictions like Australia, where every little complaint is escalated or whatever. The Law Reform Commission specifies mandatory reporting with regard to specified incidents and the expansion of offences in the criminal justice withholding of information Act to include coercion, endangerment, intentional or reckless abuse, neglect or ill-treatment, exposure to risk, harm or sexual abuse and coercive exploitation. It also suggests the extension of regulations under the Health Act with regard to notifiable incidents. It also recommends a wide list of mandated persons who have a statutory obligation to report. That is where things fall down a lot. Even if a complaint is made to a director of nursing it is not-----