Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)

Deputy Ó Caoláin, in the course of discussing this amendment, prevailed on this side of the House to listen intently to what he had to say. We listened to his Cassandra-like outburst on the Order of Business this morning, his somewhat calmer interjection on the debate on the motion and his much-more-reasoned arguments just now. If I understand him correctly, he acknowledges there is a statutory duty to provide an after-care service but is concerned it is not being provided in practice. He accused the Government of kicking the can down the road. However, he has not listened to what we on this side of the House, particularly the Minister, have had to say. He has not noted what she has done since taking office to meet the obligation to provide an aftercare service.

I join my colleagues in the Labour Party in applauding the Minister for her efforts, which include the introduction of a national aftercare policy, the establishment of an aftercare implementation group and, in particular, the recruitment of ten new staff to deal with this very important matter, notwithstanding the public service recruitment embargo. These are not the actions of a Government that wishes to hide behind words or semantics, as was pointed out. They are the actions of a Government that is intent on vindicating the rights of children and those who are no longer children but who are still vulnerable as a result of what they experienced as children. The latter, aged between 18 and 21, are the people to whom the Deputy referred in his amendment. I suggest that Deputy Ó Caoláin recognise, as we have recognised, what the Government is actually doing. On the basis of what I have said, I believe Deputy Ó Caoláin's amendment is redundant.

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