Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

-----on Committee Stage of the Bill. For the remaining speakers on Second Stage, which is to resume today, it is an opportunity for their parties to put forward their points of view on any aspect of the Bill.

The report of the Ombudsman for Children, which was mentioned by Deputy Ó Caoláin, mirrors a previous report produced by the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Barry Andrews, about the need to provide facilities for child protection. We have seen since then the placing of the codes of conduct on a statutory basis, and the health service is in the process of employing a further 200 social workers to assist in ensuring the "Children First" regulations are properly implemented. It will be a matter for the Whips to decide when they would like a debate on this matter. I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews, is open to this.

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