Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. I compliment the Minister and her staff, who in a very short time have done a great deal for children in this State who are vulnerable. The Minister and her Department have brought to the fore the question of our children, their welfare and safety, etc. Historically, we do not have a very good track record, to our great shame. It has taken all of this time, and the Minister’s work, to bring about a referendum to give all children in the State some status. That was never done before because politicians did nothing about it. This Government and the Minister have done that. That is to be welcomed, given our track record, as revealed in some of the inquiries that have taken place and documentaries that have been broadcast.

Sometimes when I come into committee meetings I have to reflect on whether our country was banjaxed a few years ago, because we are in a different place. Departments such as this one have survived on loans from our neighbouring states, which should be recognised. These are not the greatest of times but it is to be hoped we will move to a better place where we can provide funding for vulnerable children and the sort of services they deserve, about which historically nothing was done.