Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is not clear. When one looks at the definitions in the opening pages of the Bill, the first interpretation is "Agency", and it states, "means the Child and Family Agency established under section 7;". Referencing to agency, in this particular instance in terms of new directions in writing, does not specify that it is the board of the agency. It is, arguably, a small matter, but surely certainty is reasonable to achieve.

I cannot for the life of me understand why the Minister, accepting the basis of the argument that it is the board of the agency, would not then accept it and provide for "in writing to the Board of the Agency for any purpose relating to this Act". Make no mistake about it, in referring back to the definition of "Agency", it does not state, "the Board".

This is all about clarification and strengthening so that it is not open to misinterpretation. Given my and the Minister's shared understanding that it is the board of the agency, that is exactly as it should appear in the legislation. I again commend it to the Minister. It will not alter the Bill in any way. The resistance to accepting it is beyond my understanding. It is about introducing certainty and clarity and I do not understand why there is this stoic opposition to any and every amendment presented despite the common sense behind them all.

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