Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again welcome the Minister's commitment to introduce legislation. It is a commitment she has made on a number of occasions in the past three years.

The Minister is correct to suggest that guardians ad litem, GALs, often have the future welfare of the child in their hands and therefore they perform an extremely important role. Who is responsible for the vetting of GALs? Could the Minister confirm to the Dáil that all people currently practising as GALs are fully vetted and compliant? I have been told that not all people currently acting as GALs are fully vetted. This is an area of huge exposure from a child protection perspective. What qualifications are necessary for such appointments? Is it the case that I, the Minister or anyone in this House could go to a court and become a guardian ad litem?

See this speech in context