Results 4,281-4,300 of 5,087 for speaker:Kathleen Funchion

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: The agenda item for consideration this afternoon is a discussion on the possible enhancement of Tusla's child protection powers. Joining us for this session from Tusla are: Ms Kate Duggan, interim chief executive officer; Ms Patricia Finlay, regional chief officer; Mr. Mike Corcoran, head of registration and regulatory enforcement; Mr. Ger Brophy, chief social worker; and Ms June Boulger,...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I just want to put that on the record.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: This is getting very specific with regard to St John's Ambulance. Again, the organisation is not here. The Senator has referred to other organisations that are engaging with her.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank Senator Seery Kearney.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I remind Ms Duggan of time, because we have gone way over and a number of members still wish to put questions. I am aware she wanted Mr. Brophy and Mr. Corcoran to come in but maybe they can do so at the end.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: He can either do so really briefly or leave it until the end. There are a number of members who still have to ask questions.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I apologise for interrupting but I have to remind people St. John's Ambulance has no representatives here to defend it. I do not want to stop the meeting but I cannot continually interrupt either. I will have to stop the meeting if I have to interrupt again. I ask people to be really careful and really cautious. I understand where people are coming from, but we have a duty as well, as a...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: Again, I reiterate that we cannot mention St John Ambulance as it is not here to defend itself.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I understand all that. Sorry, Senator.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: Please let me finish. I understand all of that. I understand where people are coming from. However, as Chair, I have the duty to make sure everything is fair and all procedures are followed. I do not want to have to suspend or stop this meeting-----

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: -----but I cannot keep interrupting because that means ignoring what people are doing.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: People can ask in a general sense.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: We need to move on.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I call Deputy Costello.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: All of our questions have been dealt with. Senator Seery Kearney wishes to come back in and I ask people to be brief.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: We have gone through this already. St. John Ambulance is not here to defend itself or answer. Questions should be kept general.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I thank all our members and everybody from Tusla for their engagement and answering all of our questions. We just need agreement to publish the opening statements to the Oireachtas website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: Before I open up to questions from members, I wish to repeat that at present there are allegations of historic abuse in the organisation and these allegations are still the subject of ongoing criminal investigations. No one has been convicted and we must avoid any prejudicial comments. The purpose of the committee meeting is to consider policy, legislation and issues relating to Tusla and...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: In fairness, St. John Ambulance is not here to respond to this.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion (25 Apr 2023)

Kathleen Funchion: I know, but I do not want to have to stop the meeting.