11General powers of Commissioner

11 General powers of Commissioner

(1)  The Commissioner has the power to do all things necessary, or convenient, to be done in connection with the performance of his or her functions, and the exercise of his or her powers, under this or any other Act.

(2)  Without limiting subsection (1) , the Commissioner may –

(a) require any person to provide information, answer questions, or produce documents, so far as may be relevant to the performance of the functions, or the exercise of the powers, of the Commissioner or the administration of this Act; and

(b) require information and data for the purposes of –

(i) collating, studying, interpreting and maintaining information in relation to the wellbeing of children and young people in the State; and

(ii) identifying and monitoring trends in respect of the wellbeing of children and young people in the State; and

(c) investigate, and make recommendations in respect of, the systems, policies and practices of organisations, government or non-government, that provide services that affect children and young people; and

(d) investigate, and make recommendations in respect of, the effects of any legislation, proposed legislation, documents, government policies, or practices or procedures, or other matters relating to the wellbeing of children and young people; and

(e) advise and make recommendations, in relation to the rights and wellbeing of children and young people, to Ministers, State authorities and other organisations; and

(f) provide information to other organisations in accordance with this Act or any other Act; and

(g) report publicly on the wellbeing of children and young people in the State; and

(h) exercise such other powers as are prescribed.

(3)  In performing a function, or exercising a power, under this Act, the Commissioner –

(a) may regulate any proceedings held under this Act in any manner he or she considers appropriate; and

(b) is not bound by the rules of evidence but may inform himself, or herself, on any matter in any manner the Commissioner thinks fit; and