Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Mr. Herrick and Dr. Elliott for being with us today. I apologise for missing a good part of the committee but, unfortunately, it clashes with the Committee of Public Accounts. I want to pick up on a few points. Looking at the opening statement, and I appreciate the frankness and honesty of it, it refers to the tenth anniversary of the Carrickmines incident and states that issues regarding discrimination and deficiencies are as persistent and systemic now as they were back then. Is this Mr. Herrick's overall assessment? His initial remarks referred to the work the organisation has been doing over the past 11 years. Does Mr. Herrick feel things are as bad as ever? Does he feel there has been any improvement in addressing some of the core issues regarding discrimination, access to services and so on? I know this is a broad question but I want to get Mr. Herrick's overall sense.