Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It is anticipated that the Ferns Report will be brought to finality. As the Deputy will know, the Children First guidelines are being extensively reviewed. There has been discussion with the stakeholders. We have always evolved these issues in the context of new outcomes and considerations. If those are available in the Ferns Report, I am sure they will be involved and reflected on as we have done in my 21 years as a Member of this House. I remember one of my first occasions in this House was the debate on important legislation, the Children Act, which took almost 80 years to bring to fruition. We have seen an evolving child protection facility and advanced services being provided. The Minister of State will extensively review the Children First guidelines in the context of any outcomes that arise from a public perspective.

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