David Norris (Independent)

I sincerely hope he is right. Will he comment, as Minister with responsibility for children, on the article on the front page of The Irish Times about a report which states that thousands of children at risk of abuse have no social worker? How can that be explained if there is no embargo on the recruitment of social workers? Why is it not being done? One third of the 21,000 children who were reported as being at risk have no social worker. If there is no embargo we are entitled to ask why that is the case. The report states that the cases where there is information to suggest the child is at immediate risk of harm should receive the highest priority. I will leave that matter because I want to deal with the amendment.

As I understand it, the Minister has helpfully drawn our attention to the existence of the phrase I wish to insert, namely, "or of an accredited body". I welcome the fact that this phrase exists so that there is an acknowledgement at a later point in the Bill. It does not appear that there is any insuperable difficulty in accepting the addition of "or of an accredited body" at this point.

I had difficulty in hearing it but the Minister made some reference to legal advice he has received. Will he disclose that to the House if he is saying that-----