John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister referred to the Bill being fast-tracked and to her hope of having it in place before the timeframe of 6 October that I have laid out in my amendment. Unfortunately, we cannot take that at face value. Assurances, guarantees, timeframes and deadlines have been given before and have all fallen by the wayside. It is important that a timeframe be built into the legislation. That is why we have tabled this amendment. Fifty-four months from the original date gives us another eight months. If small technical amendments need to be made on Report Stage, that is fine. I am not saying that the failure or fault for delays lies with the Minister or officials within her Department. I am acutely aware that a number of Departments are dealing with this matter. For example, the Department of Health has cited six deadlines and breached all of them, letting families down.

I will press this amendment. It is an important issue. We owe it to the vulnerable families that have been denied their civil rights. We need to ensure that they can rear their children with all of the rights to which those families are entitled. We have passed referendums, and this is the most important element that needs to be addressed. We owe it to the families watching on. Since debating the Bill on Second Stage, I have been contacted - I am sure other Deputies and Senators have as well - and told how important this matter is. Many people are watching on and will not appreciate us breaking any more timeframes.

I take the Minister at her word that this is being fast-tracked. I have no reason to doubt her, and it should be grounds enough to get this date built into the legislation.