Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I was waiting to hear the full extent of Deputy Shatter's arguments in relation to his proposal. Perhaps the Minister of State's reply will better inform my judgment on this, but maybe there is an unnecessary further tier of bureaucracy.

If it is, indeed, unnecessary, it is something which will have to be reflected in the legislation by the withdrawal of the relevant sections. I am interested to hear what the Minister of State has to say in terms of arguing for the inclusion of such committees. If it is the case that his argument is sustainable, I wonder whether, in the light of Deputy Shatter's amendment No.59, it might not be possible to consider representation from the adopted and those engaged in direct support in terms of children's rights across the country.

The options Deputy Shatter outlined include a senior social worker, a child psychologist, a child psychiatrist and a person who has adopted a child. I wonder, if it is to be more than five and there are only four, whether, in the event that these committees are to be maintained within the legislation and the Minister of State believes they have a worthwhile function, it might be a good idea to consider representation on such committees from those who have been through the process not as adoptive parents, but rather as adoptees and representatives of one or any number of the NGOs that are doing Trojan work in the whole area of children's rights and the protection of children.

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