Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

My heart goes out to you. You are an incredibly brave woman to embrace that mother in the way you have and to bring her and her children into your lives but also into your children’s lives as well. That is an incredibly brave thing to do.

I am sorry that I have to leave the meeting. One of the things that Ms Wheatley said is that she does not exist. Anyone who gives love to a child exists. Let me say that here and now. I know this because I fostered four children long term and perhaps 150 in total came through my door. Anyone who gives care and love to a child exists. They see Ms Wheatley as the parent. My only concern is that mother who gave birth to her child would always have that title as birth mother. I hope she would not take that in the wrong. I always see that mother as the birth mother. Ms Wheatley may be the parent or the mother. She will be able to give that child motherly love for the rest of their days. As a foster mother, I do not see myself as the mother. However, I will love those children who have been in my care eternally. My only concerns are that the birth mother would always have that title as such and the children would know their true identity going forward in life. That is my only concern.