Mr. Bernard Gloster:

As opposed to an individual service, can I say categorically that my view is Tusla would have to, and does, continue to flex every possible avenue it has where it is aware that an unregistered service is operating. I draw the line at that. In terms of the legal power for us to go through the process with the person who is operating unregistered, that is a timeline beyond our control.

The sector is not obliged to display registration certificates. I am very happy to say that I believe a responsible sector would encourage its members, and there are umbrella organisations in the sector, to say that while it is not necessary to do so, it should be best practice to display a registration certificate on the front door, and if not, a copy should be given to every parent who places a child with the service. While it is unfair that members of the public must make their own minds up when they do not see that on the wall, I think we have to start challenging the sector to take a level of collective responsibility for driving standards that do not always require legislation. Within the powers we have, I have no tolerance for somebody who operates something that he or she is not registered to operate, when it is required that he or she be registered. The process that I am bound by is somewhat lengthy, but I believe there are other ways. I would hope that the majority of good providers in the sector would rise to the challenge, and let us see how that progresses.