Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendment. One of the key reasons put forward by the Minister and the Government for the establishment of the new Child and Family Agency is the need to draw together the various child and family services throughout the country in order to ensure consistency of approach across these services. As it stands, section 8(5) states, "The Agency shall, in the performance of its functions, demonstrate high standards of performance, transparency and accountability". If the amendment were accepted, the term "consistency" would be added. It goes without saying one would expect consistency, but it is highly important that this be clearly reflected in the legislation. If the term "consistency" is included, it will place very important legal obligations on the new agency in the context of ensuring cases in various parts of the country which are dealt with at different times will be treated in a consistent manner. It should not be the position that a particular decision will be made in one case and a completely different one in another. It is important that the term be included in the legislation. I will be interested to hear any rationale as to why it should not be included.

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