Mr. Brendan Ryan:

I want to give the Deputy a flavour of what happens in respect of minors and wards of court. When a person is taken into wardship, the President of the High Court appoints a committee, usually one person, to deal with the ward's property and, in certain cases, make recommendations for his or her personal welfare. In approximately 75% of cases the ward's committee comprises a family member or a friend. If no suitable or willing private person resident in the jurisdiction is available or if there is a conflict of interest between the ward and the person who would otherwise have been appointed, the President of the High Court can appoint a general solicitor for minors and wards of court to act as the committee. A committee only has the powers conferred on it by order of the President of the High Court. Where a committee is authorised to collect a ward's income from any source, it is its duty to make all appropriate tax returns on behalf of the ward and discharge his or her tax liabilities. A committee in receipt of income is requested periodically to account to the Office of Wards of Court.