This article from the Gazette Desk highlights findings from the annual report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection in Ireland, Dr Conor O’Mahony, which "examines both court care orders and voluntary care arrangements for children and notes that court reviews by a judge have the effect of making sure that things are done for a child in care, with more defined plans." The article notes that "a study of solicitors found that the voice of the child is not as well represented in voluntary care arrangements as where there is a care order, and this is largely due to the absence of a guardian ad litem (GAL)."
