Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)

The amendment has much to recommend it and I support the principles articulated by Senator Ulick Burke. Over the years, many opportunities were lost due to a lack of co-ordination between the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Education and Science, and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The appointment of the Minister of State, whose responsibility spans all three Departments, is a clear vindication of the need for such interdepartmental co-operation. I commend him for his work and commitment to all three Departments. There is nothing about Senator Burke's comments with which I could disagree in principle.

On an interim basis, sections 39 and 40 appear to address adequately the issues the Senator referred to concerning the establishment of a central body. It might be somewhat pre-emptive to establish a central body by virtue of this Bill, given that the disability Bill will follow subsequently. The Minister of State has stated categorically that the disability Bill will deal with all the issues running in parallel with this Bill. He has also made it clear that the education aspect is to be continued right through into adulthood. I am extremely supportive of what Senator Burke has had to say, but I am worried about the timing of the amendment and the appropriateness of deciding now whether it should be taken in the context of this Bill.