Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will not repeat the debate we have had. I have a question on how our amendments involve a charge to the Exchequer. I think Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell mentioned it earlier in respect of the two amendments we had tabled given that we were told it did not have material difference. However, I will put that one aside. I do not know if this is the appropriate section under which to raise the issue of personal advocacy. I raised it with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, when I met her last week with Senator O'Donnell. Section 5 of the Citizens Information Act 2007 allows the Citizens Information Board to appoint persons to act as personal advocates to persons who, by reason of disability or lack of capacity, are unable to access particular social health or welfare services. I understand this section has not been commenced for resource reasons and I know the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, has been pursuing this issue, but I think this is a way in which we could provide, in the interim, where the capacity Bill has not come into law, personal advocates to women, particularly those in the disability services.