Alex White (Labour)

I wish to record my strong support for this important amendment tabled by Senator Fitzgerald and it will be interesting to hear the Minister of State's response. This is a relatively new area of policy delivery and a number of reports have been prepared. While not all the information available is universally positive, there definitely have been improvements that it is important to acknowledge. However, one still heard stories about difficulties that arose during the so-called economic boom when it frequently was reported that there were difficulties in recruiting and retaining suitably qualified and experienced staff. This area may not have been perceived across the entire system as being as important as were some of the other services. It was something of a Cinderella service, to coin that awful cliché. This point has been made in respect of some of the secure units and there have been flashpoints involving serious and negative reports on some people's experiences. While I am sure this is an area to which the Minister of State is committed, international best practice exists, as Senator Fitzgerald noted. The purpose of her amendment is to induce the Minister to publish a report on the provision of secure care, having regard to best practice internationally, and consequently I support this amendment.