Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The critical principle is that the child must be at the centre of consideration. For the life of me, I cannot understand why there would be any question as to the ability of children under seven years of age and certainly between the ages of five and seven years to express themselves and their views. This should be seen as part of the natural engagements that need to occur in association with the consideration of the child's future. The notion that this could happen at a remove from the child or that the child would not be engaged with it in any way is incredible. I am a parent and do not need to remember too far back to when my children were pre-seven years old. I have an eight year old who could offer strong opinions. This is real.

We are making a mistake, in that we are failing to complement properly a stated objective of a committee that has deliberated for some considerable time. The right of the child to be heard is not prescriptively suggested by the children's referendum committee to apply to those over seven years of age. As Deputy Jan O'Sullivan's amendment suggests, the regard to the views of the child as appropriate to his or her age and understanding is crucial in the arrangements that would apply. The amendment is reasonable and would have a practical application. It would not only enrich, but improve the entire process. I strongly commend it to the Minister of State.

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