Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

As a distinguished former member of the Cabinet, the Leader is no doubt aware that last year the Oireachtas passed an Act allowing for the establishment of an ombudsman for children, some four years after the original Bill was published and eight years after the idea was first mooted. Notwithstanding the Minister for Health and Children's difficulties in his hand to hand combat with the Minister for Finance and the fact that his mind is probably elsewhere, will the Leader ask him when the office of the ombudsman for children will be established since the post has not yet even been advertised? It is important that this office be established as soon as possible, particularly in the light of the 1998 UN report which rapped this country across the knuckles for not doing so and the 2001 Supreme Court decision which limited the role of the Judiciary in intervening in child welfare issues.

It is important that an independent voice for children be established. The law is in place but it is not being enforced and the Minister for Health and Children should appoint someone as soon as possible.