Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

It is interesting that recent reviews of the Children First guidelines, and we will have an updated version of those later in the week, have found them to be robust and appropriate. What is really important - and this is what makes the difference - is implementation. We must focus on implementation. It is not simply about reporting. We must insist that people report their concerns. I agree with the Deputy that if somebody has in good faith reasonable concerns about the abuse or neglect of a child, those concerns should be reported to the relevant authority. The legislation, which I intend to bring forward, and which has been recommended by the Ryan report will underpin the good practice outlined in Children First. The reporting requirement, and I wish to restate this, is only one element. What is really important is that we have a broadly based approach to compliance. It has to be greater than reporting alone. As Deputy McConalogue rightly stated, if one simply focuses on reporting, one gets an increase in reporting without actually protecting children. What we want to see is a change in practice, consistency and implementation and agencies working well together. The best way of doing that is to have legislation that is broadly based, which focuses not only on reporting, but on best practice, inter-agency working and consistent implementation. That is the goal of the legislation.

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