Mr. Pat Healy:

I think that as one would implement the law, staffing would be an issue. The inspections would have to be adequately resourced. I think all those who gave presentations have referenced the resources as an important part of that. Significant work has been done in strengthening teams, but more would have to be done.

What I have reflected in our submission in regard to mandatory reporting is that a balance is required. I have differentiated between what would be termed "permissive" and what would be termed "mandatory". Permissive would focus on providing for professional judgment in reporting on the case, but there is compellability in a mandatory situation. We have indicated that there are pros and cons in this regard. There is an international perspective and we suggest that more work would need to be done to settle on a position for the Irish context.

Deputy Durkan raised the scale of the notifications. I think I have touched on it but I will ask my colleague, Mr. Tim Hanly, to address the follow-up in terms of his role as the head of the national safeguarding office.