James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions to the debate, although I note with some regret the tone of Deputy Troy's, who took the opportunity to have a political fling at the Government. It is a pity he did not wait to hear my reply.

I have much pleasure in recommending to the House that Dr. Niall Muldoon be appointed by the President to be the Ombudsman for Children. Dr. Muldoon comes to the post with a wealth of experience. He is currently the director of investigations at the Ombudsman for Children's Office and has held that role for two and a half years. He is a registered clinical and counselling psychologist and was formerly the national clinical director of CARI, Children at Risk in Ireland, a children's charity based in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. He has worked in the area of child protection for nearly 20 years. I am satisfied that in Dr. Muldoon we have a well qualified, experienced and suitable nominee for appointment as the next Ombudsman for Children.

I thank the Public Appointments Service for its rigour in managing the selection process, which included input from children, in a fair and open manner at all stages. I particularly thank the children and young people who attended the two consultation workshops for their participation, and their families for their support. I was delighted to attend both consultation workshops with the children and young people and it was a pleasure to listen to their views. Over the course of the two days they gave us interesting opinions on what they believed were the key requirements in the person to become the new Ombudsman for Children.

I am greatly encouraged by the significant interest in the post of Ombudsman for Children, which is an integral part of an enhanced architecture in the State devoted to improving the lives of our children and young people. I am fully confident that Dr. Niall Muldoon will bring a great deal of prior experience and knowledge to the position and am happy to propose that the House recommend him for appointment by the President to be the Ombudsman for Children.

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