Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

As the leader of my party and a member of the Government, I agree with the position that has been adopted by the Taoiseach on this matter. The terms of the proposed Bill, which have been circulated to the House, have been considered at length. The two aspects of this issue to which Deputy Kenny referred — the protection of children and the provisions relating to soft information — are worthwhile. The other provisions, which will allow children in long-term fostering to be adopted, for example, are also quite urgent. They have been talked about for longer than the outcome of the A case or the issue of soft information, which is of comparatively recent origin. At what stage should we decide that children in long-term fostering who may not be adopted are also a priority? I do not want to be argumentative with the House or with the Deputy, who has said there appears to be political confusion on this matter. I do not know where such confusion is arising. I have not heard from any of the Opposition parties any substantive objection to the provisions of this child protection amendment, about which they claim to be undecided. If the Opposition parties were to point out an aspect of this matter which could cause political difficulty or confusion, it would be a different matter. I ask every Member of the House, across all benches, to listen to the strong plea of the child care and protection organisations for us to pursue this agenda. They do not think we should split up this Bill, thereby delaying the implementation of protections for people in fosterage. They think we should do something decent to rescue such people from the limbo they are in.

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