David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Lynch for his response. We cannot stray into policy. It is not our role to stray into what possible future changes will be made. It is a matter for the Department and the Minister. Dr. Lynch offered some possibilities of change, with regard to making this a more professional and good quality service. I fully support this. This is a vital step forward in children's rights and ensuring children have legal representation, and I fully support this. I would favour a professional good quality service that is properly regulated, whatever form it takes. I would favour having people who are salaried. I will not get into this because it is a matter of policy. The process completely lacks sanctions and having coercive mechanisms in place to deal with failures. Absolutely no sanction was in place. The Department was not even able to establish whether there was any wrongdoing. Whatever changes are put in place, will Dr. Lynch talk me through potential sanctions and oversight? It cannot just be a slap on the wrist. We have had far too much of this in the past. It must be robust. Has this element been examined?