Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The fact that a child is born with particular challenges changes the entire life profile of the family, whatever the circumstances in which they find themselves. The Minister was given approval on Tuesday to proceed with the drafting of the legislation dealing with the Children First guidelines. That is so important and personal to those who deal with it. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs will do her utmost to have those guidelines enshrined in draft legislation. I cannot give the Deputy a date as to when she will have completed her observations and bring a Bill to Government but in accordance with what I have said already, when the heads of the Bill are approved by the Government they will be circulated to committees to ensure people can have an opportunity to comment on them. This is an issue upon which we can agree.

See this speech in context