Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I commend Deputy Ó Caoláin for tabling this amendment. I followed the last Report Stage debate on 18 January. We do not want to go into what was said then by Deputies Jan O'Sullivan and Charles Flanagan. At the time, I understood the then Minister of State, Barry Andrews, had his hands tied on this matter and was frustrated by the situation. Many of the Opposition Deputies at the time – who now are in Government – were disappointed with the proposals contained in this rushed legislation.

The language used in this legislation is fundamental. There is a huge difference between the term "placement" and "detention", especially for children who have been in care from a young age. I have a sister who has provided foster care for 30 years. Last Saturday, I attended the wedding of one her adopted children. It was wonderful to see the fruitful outcomes of foster care, the parents of which get little support from statutory authorities, who are sometimes opposed and have the heavy hand of the law placed on them.

The word "placement" is far more desirable than the term " detention". Detention has all sorts of connotations going back to the foundation of the State and the 19th century. I appeal to the Minister to accept this amendment. The Technical Group supports this Sinn Féin proposal.

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