Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

We are hopeful that Bill will be published this session. On the other issue, the Deputy was in the House for the previous debate on these matters where it was made clear that there are legal issues involved that we must resolve. We cannot give a direction contrary to the law but must instead bring in new legislation to deal with the situation, which is what we are doing. I have also explained to Members who have inquired in the House today that the remit of the investigation is extending beyond children who died in State care to include those who may have been notified to child protection services but were not in State care and who subsequently died. All of that must be checked.

There are currently 5,500 thousand children involved with the State services in terms of foster care, institutional care or special care. That adds up to a substantial number in a ten-year period as per the extended remit. While I would like to have that information for the House today, it is in the process of being obtained. We have indicated that we will legislate in this area to ensure there is sufficient interaction between the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive so that the necessary information is available to Mr. Shannon and Ms Gibbons is available.

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