Ms Éimear Fisher:

When care proceedings are taken in court, they are taken by Tusla in order to take the child into State care. It is considered more appropriate to have an independent person to speak as the voice of the child in such proceedings. It would not be appropriate for Tusla to play the role because it will have instigated proceedings. The whole point of having a guardian ad litemseparate from Tusla is to provide an independent voice to challenge, reason in respect of and analyse the decision. Were the guardian ad litemto be part of Tusla, then the provision would dilute and almost submerge independence. The whole point of a GAL is to be separate, challenging and independent. Have I answered the Deputy's question?