Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

Festina lente could be the maxim to which they operate. It is not the time to hasten slowly; however good the template might be for other occasions, it is not appropriate to this issue. The opposite to this might be carpe diem, seize the day, and we should use this as inspiration for our actions.

The Minister of State, Deputy Andrews, was very careful to point out the intervention which has already given rise to some debate by a person who has a massive log on his shoulder. His argument is that the clause will mean the State will move in on every case but that is not so. The action would be proportional on both sides, which is very important. As we go to the hustings we will need to emphasise this more and more.

As the Minister of State is present I indicate again that there is no panacea; there is no Aladdin's cave containing a golden box which when opened will prevent sadness for children in care or with families. It cannot be. Our actions would realise the objectives sought by Ms Justice Catherine McGuinness, now on the Law Reform Commission, since 1993. Deputy Brendan Howlin when Minister for Health asked her to chair the Kilkenny incest inquiry and one of her most salient conclusions was that there should be a referendum on children's rights. Various other luminaries have put their point of view along the way, always echoing her aims.

Members of the 2006 committee also served on our committee, and it fell to us to scrutinise the 2007 legislation. We saw that the rights of the child were not sufficiently emphasised and brought forward in that Bill, and we proceeded to forensically examine it before putting forward our own ideas. I commend those who proposed the motion. We all know how Private Members' business works and I wish there would be no division on the matter.

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