Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the members, Ms O'Connor and Ms Rickard-Clarke for their forbearance. I listened to the answers and to the questions posed by members today about the lack of clear governance by the State and the complexities of the matters. If the witnesses were handed a blank sheet of paper, what five key headings would they write down for the legislation that needs to be enacted? At the outset, they said there was a deficit in legislation, across all sectors. Their organisation is Safeguarding Ireland, which means safeguarding the community. How can we encompass every eventuality in legislation? Perhaps they should think about it before they respond. Perhaps we should look at it in more depth because there is a deficit in statutory regulation by the State.

There is also a deficit where the State has regulatory bodies with powers, such as HIQA, and services need to be provided but resources do not follow the reports. There is a serious challenge. We see it in the unmet need in the community, particularly in respite, in the regulatory framework that is in place and that the resources have not followed the regulatory framework. Any new regulation we put in place has to put a burden on the State to provide the proper resources to ensure we are providing for our most vulnerable citizens.