Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is what amendment No. 239 is about, namely, a person who is a special visitor and designated to advise is a person who has financial expertise. As Senator Norris noted previously, there is no point in such a person having medical expertise. It will be necessary to have financial "expertise and experience of financial matters, as respects the capacity of persons", even though that person might not be a medical practitioner. While I grant to the Minister of State that we are moving away from the courts, this is why such a provision still is needed. However, in moving away from the courts, I note the Bill contains absolutely nothing in respect of the special visitor or the person put in care to specify there should be an annual report or financial statement to that person. This is absolutely relevant for transparency and is necessary.