Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are trying to put real life scenarios into play and ask how it would meet the test. These are the scenarios people will consider. At what stage is the State entitled to intervene in people's lives when they fall down? The best answer that the Minister has given is that while it may be the case that the State can intervene even in the event of slight failures, its response must meet the test of proportionality. I would not laugh at introducing real-life scenarios because this is what people think. Their fears can be reasonable or unreasonable but we should always try to address them. People know about situations where the agents of the State have intervened inappropriately. The ordinary parents to whom I have spoken sometimes regard themselves as failing, even though they are good people who are doing very well. I thank the Minister and my colleagues for their thoughtful contributions.