Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

The Minister of State has been asked many questions during this debate. I am sure he agrees with me that it has been a disturbing debate, with widespread evidence of a crisis in the child protection services. What sort of emergency response is planned by the Minister of State? Was he convinced by the HSE's reassurances to him that it responds immediately in all cases where there is a serious and immediate risk to the health and welfare of a child? Can he go back and get more information from the people who briefed him with that statement? Senator Healy Eames pointed out that the situation in Galway showed it is clear that a social work team can respond only when a section 12 action is being taken.