Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Ba mhaith liom a rá that I welcome this Bill as a further necessary reform of legislation regarding the care of children and the rights and responsibilities of foster parents and of relatives caring for children.

Much attention has recently been paid to the need to vindicate further the rights of children. It is a pity that this arose in the somewhat confusing way occasioned by the Taoiseach's announcement at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis of the Government's intention to better enshrine children's rights in the Constitution. With respect, the statements of an tAire Stáit, as well as those of the Taoiseach, have left us none the wiser as to whether the Government really intends to hold such a referendum before the dissolution of this Dáil. That is the critical point which the Aire Stáit might clarify at the end of this debate.

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