Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I thank Mr. Rabbitte. He is most welcome. Like Deputy Sherlock, I find it a bit strange to see Mr. Rabbitte on the other side of the committee room, without his ministerial hat on. His offer for the committee to meet him and the members of the executive team is welcome. We have done that before. It is probably something we should formalise and do on a more regular basis. It would improve the committee's ability to perform its duties.

Other Deputies have touched on the lines of communication between committee members that enable us to perform our duties. As Mr. Rabbitte is probably aware and may recollect, in the previous Dáil term a circular was issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform instructing State agencies to set up an Oireachtas helpline or email service so that Members could liaise directly with an individual or group within any given Department or agency. Tusla needs to look at that more closely to improve its ability to communicate with us in a timely manner.

As Deputy Rabbitte has pointed out, it is impossible for us to entertain a specific query when there is an element of pot luck regarding who we get on the end of the phone. We will certainly not get an individual who is actually dealing with the specific case within the agency. As far as I am aware, none of us is a professional in this field. However, we have responsibilities. Certain aspects of our role present us with difficult cases. I am sure Mr. Rabbitte will be aware of the ongoing issues in Scouting Ireland which have brought numerous individuals to the doors of members of this committee and Members of the Oireachtas in general. Some of the cases are extremely difficult for the individuals in question and also for the Members of the Oireachtas who are attempting to support them. As Mr. Rabbitte has already commented on this issue, I am making a contribution rather than asking a question.

I would like to ask Mr. Rabbitte about the implementation of the strategic action plan in response to the HIQA investigation, which was published last summer. The investigation threw up a number of difficulties for Tusla and for other agencies as well. I refer, for example, to the question of whether they dealt with the Maurice McCabe issue in an effective manner. Would Mr. Rabbitte be able to bring aspects of his vast experience in these Houses to bear on Tusla? Does he think that elements of the HIQA report, which no doubt he has read or perused, should be implemented more quickly? Are there are any other suggestions emanating from it?