My first question is on the surrogacy legislation we are all expecting. It was great last December to see that there was really good progress on this. We are led to believe that many of the recommendations from the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy were taken on board. We are coming into April and two weeks' recess. What stage is this at, particularly for parents who are looking for retrospective recognition?

I understand this technically falls to the Department of Health. I always have to reword the questions. I appreciate the Minister taking the question. The committee was very ably chaired by Deputy Whitmore and I was delighted to see that many of its recommendations will be taken on board, particularly the point about the two-step parentage recommended by Professor O'Mahony. My specific concern is around those who are awaiting recognition now. They do not all have the luxury of time. I specifically refer to Brian an…

I appreciate the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, may not have this information as he is not the lead Minister, but is there a rough timeframe for that going to committee? There are so many people who do not have the luxury of time in relation to retrospective recognition. I understand the complexity because we dealt with it in the committee and it was very complex. However, we came up with very good recommendations in a very tight timeframe. If there is no way it can be done before the legislation has passed, is there a…

Will the Minister come back to me on that?

My question concerns the situation with the St. John Ambulance. In light of the handling of child sexual abuse allegations within the organisation, what are the Minister's views on the assurances Tusla is providing regarding that organisation's current safeguarding child protection procedures and will he make a statement on the matter?

I thank the Minister and I welcome that update. This process is going to be key. It is worrying, though, to think that an organisation dealing with children was finalising its child protection statement up until November 2022. I think that is what the Minister said. I mention those who have come forward and told their stories. I commend them on their courage and bravery. From dealing with one or two people, and one person specifically, I know they felt for a long time that they were not being listened to or heard. …

The committee hopes to look at this and I know that some members of the committee, Deputies Sherlock and Cairns, are present. I assume there has been consultation with the survivors who have come forward and told their stories of anything that has gone on in St. John Ambulance, but I just want to make sure that has been done. It also raises the really serious question of who is in charge of ensuring organisations, whether State-funded or not, that deal with children have the correct procedures in place and have bes…

My question is a little bit similar to what we were discussing earlier with regard to St. John Ambulance Ireland. Can the Minister confirm the number of complaints made to Tusla's Tell Us complaints portal in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023? What was the most common complaint? How were they dealt with?

This question arises from records released under the Freedom of Information Act, which show that HIQA was quite concerned over the way in which the Child and Family Agency processed and investigated allegations and complaints. Several of these complaints received by HIQA related to Tusla's management of child protection allegations and safeguarding concerns. Concerns have also been raised about the quality of care, including care planning, communication, governance and management. At the root of many of these compl…

Yes.

We have an excellent Ombudsman for Children in Dr. Niall Muldoon, and the office deals very adequately with many complaints. We do not want to see a situation where it is getting to that stage, however. Barnardos also expressed concerns that if people are unhappy with the response they receive from State agencies, they would have the opportunity to register those concerns. I agree that it is good that some complaints are getting resolved. It is not that we want a situation where complaints are being made, but it is…

We will just have time for the Minister's reply.

The Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach has completed its consideration of the Finance Bill 2023 and has made amendments thereto. The Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has completed its consideration of the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Bill 2023 and has made amendments thereto.

We will move on.

Deputy Conway-Walsh wishes to contribute on this question.

Does the Minister wish to respond?

Everyone is being co-operative this morning. It is great.

I believe Deputy Flaherty is substituting for his colleague.

If the Minister is agreeable, we might go back to Question No. 61.

Deputy Ó Murchú wants to come in on this as well.