Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

It is interesting that the two previous speakers stated that the voice of the child must be heard. We are of one mind on this issue. It was addressed in an extremely careful manner during the course of the deliberations of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children. It is important to point out that the voice of the child must not only be heard, it must also be listened to.

Amendment No. 6 in my name reflects the points raised by Deputies Jan O'Sullivan and Kathleen Lynch in amendment No. 5 and Deputy Charles Flanagan in amendment No. 8. The need to make provision in respect of this matter is self-evident. I urge the Minister of State to accept amendment No. 6, which is in line with that with which he previously indicated he is at ease in respect of this issue. Amendments Nos. 5, 6 and 8 address a significant gap in the Bill which was identified by those who work on the front line in this area. The Government must listen to the concerns expressed by those to whom I refer.

In the past harrowing reports have been compiled in respect of various cases involving children. In the cases to which I refer, the voice of the child was not heard. The various reports to which I refer all contained recommendations to the effect that it was extremely important for the voice of the child to be heard. The most recent and most harrowing of these reports related to the Roscommon case where it was clear that the children involved had not been able to express, from their perspective, what was happening to them in circumstances where adults, parents and others were not present. I accept that the situation here is completely different. However, the principle is the same. It needs to fill the legislative gaps and the gaps in service provision accordingly because, clearly, there are consequences in this regard. Its outworking must be appreciated and committed to. Without further ado, I hope the Government agrees to adopt the constructive group of amendments being presented, although I am particularly interested in amendments Nos. 5, 6 and 8. Accordingly, I commend the amendments to the Minister of State.

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