Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will ask a couple more questions. Unless I am mistaken – I am sure someone will correct me if I am – the general scheme suggests that the rules, guidance, procedures or standing orders, for want of a better term, will be decided by the operational committee. Have the witnesses a view on whether this is the right way or whether the procedures should be set by statutory instrument? The advantage of the latter is that, while some flexibility would be lost, the Minister could set the standard herself in a more publicly transparent way.

What would a specific service for children look like and how would it differ? If a child victim of trafficking is referred, should a guardian ad litembe appointed to him or her? Many of these will be separated children. I assume that, if a child is in a dangerous situation, is separated from family and is going to be taken into State care, which was a point raised by Tusla in its brief written submission, the child will likely be referred to the separated children's team. Would an allocated social worker from that team be advocate or support enough or should we be considering a guardian ad litemas well? There is the risk of a social worker not being allocated, but that is a matter for the children's committee.

I have a question for Professors Breen and Healy. I suspect I know the answer, but I will ask anyway. Are we adequately researching, and funding research into, this issue? Most of what we are discussing operates in the shadows. How can we shine a light into those shadows?

I am conscious that, due to my long contribution earlier, Professors Breen and Healy did not get a chance to respond. Is there anything else they would like to respond to concerning my contribution?