Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following urgent matter: the urgent need for a missing persons help line to be re-established without delay. The evaluation of the national missing persons helpline by Kevin Lawlor and Callus Pope in December 2003 made 12 recommendations not only highlighting the importance of the helpline but also recommending that its funding be continued and services increased and expanded. However, the aspect of the report on which the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, focused on in his rationale for withdrawing funding was the number of calls made between October 2002 and October 2003 without consideration of the need for a dedicated advertising budget and strategy. It is appalling there is no such service for those affected. I urge the Minister to recommence the funding of the missing persons helpline and to implement fully the recommendations of the evaluation report.

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