Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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This is not a laughing matter; it is a serious issue. Ms Ryan mentioned Tusla and so on and, in the past, I have been interested in the Tusla reports from the Louth-Meath area about family dysfunction and the huge complexity of problems that arise. Obviously, if a family or a relationship is in difficulty, it has a highly negative impact on everybody, but in particular on the children and the person who is abused physically. I again apologise for being late but I refer to the responses about which the witnesses are talking. Ms Ryan mentioned a policy response from the United Kingdom which, from what she appears to have stated, may be deemed to be adequate there. What would be needed to put together the best solution or plan to meet the needs identified by SONAS? The witnesses might revert to the committee as I would not expect them to have it to hand.

I applaud SONAS in respect of the work it is doing. I was a teacher for many years and I met many families who had serious problems. I know that when one can reach out to help somebody, as SONAS does, it is hugely important. As Ms Ryan said, when people make contact they are in extremis. There is no other support available to them and they have exhausted the family support and community network. These are the most traumatised and difficult cases, so I just want to acknowledge what SONAS does.