Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 23 October 2019

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage

Photo of Kathleen FunchionKathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make a similar point. I was disappointed, and nearly angry, to see these amendments ruled out of order. The Bill is about the rights and interests of a child, which is why the guardian ad litem, GAL, system was put in place in the first instance. This is particularly the case at the moment, where social workers change regularly and many children do not have social workers for long periods. In many cases, the guardian ad litemis basically the child's right-hand person. If we are saying that we will not allow for guardians ad litemin all circumstances, the Bill is hypocritical.

I have a major issue with the fact that it was 6.30 p.m. yesterday when we were told that the amendments had been ruled out of order. That is very short notice to allow us to prepare for today. The ruling undermines the Bill. I appeal to the Minister to provide for a discussion on the matter so that we might find a way of getting around it. Amendment No. 2 in particular is important, but it has been ruled out of order. I would like to see us doing something about the matter it addresses and amending the Bill on Report Stage. Otherwise, we in my party will be reserving the right to vote against the Bill on Report Stage. It is contradictory and hypocritical and does not protect the best interests of children.

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