Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

We discussed the matter to which amendment No. 10 relates on Committee Stage. I would have expected that the Minister of State would have given it some consideration in the interim. I am of the view that the powers bestowed upon the HSE under this part of the Bill are wide-ranging in nature and, in some instances, are too far-reaching. As a result, it is important that a mechanism which would give the court a say and which would limit the powers of the HSE - particularly in instances where there is no requirement on the latter to apply to the court to dispense with the matter of parental consent - be put in place.

This is an important issue and I hope the Minister of State is in a position to engage with us in respect of it. Amendments Nos. 4 and 10 are in the best interests of the child. If the Minister of State does not propose to accept them, as they stand, perhaps he might put forward either a form of wording or a solution that will deal with this important issue.

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