Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I appreciate the Deputy Leader's comments about keeping business under review throughout the day.

A serious situation has arisen in respect of the State attempting to recover costs from victims. Whatever about the legal niceties involved, there are approximately 450,000 schoolchildren in the care of the State. At least, that is what their parents believe. The Department must be given some regulatory and supervisory role. It cannot merely hide and abdicate its responsibility. Senator Lydon is nodding in agreement with me.