Dáil debates

Thursday, 21 July 2011

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: From the Seanad

 

4:00 pm

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I appreciate this is probably being protective in terms of instances that might arise in the future and I am not shook up over it.

I utilise the opportunity, with the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's approval, to encourage the Minister in some concluding remarks. In an hour or two we will finish up for the summer recess. The Minister has addressed this particular need with considerable alacrity and the speed that it deserved, for which I commend her. However, I appeal to her, as, I think, my colleague, Deputy McDonald, may have done earlier this morning to utilise the summer recess in order that when we come back in September for the autumn session the long identified needs for legislation in the area of children's rights will have been addressed with specific dates for publication. This is critically important. In the current schedule for much of the legislation that focuses on children's rights and needs it is not possible to indicate the notation. However, I have every confidence in the Minister. I speak from a point of view which I hope is shared where the intent is to move with all speed to bring forward the necessary legislation to which we all have collectively contributed and for which we have pressed for a long period. Specifically, I speak about the establishment of the child welfare and protection agency, the children Bill, the children first Bill - the Ryan report implementation Bill - and, of course, the national vetting bureau Bill. These are absolutely essential in providing for the Children First guidelines in legislation. I urge the Minister to give a brief response before we conclude. I hope she will hit the ground running in September in the case of all this legislation, mindful of the terrible backdrop to the conclusion of this Dáil session - the Cloyne report - and the myriad concerns about other issues, including those within the ambit of the State and State agencies. I am also particularly mindful of the terrible case in Donegal, the full extent of which, perhaps, is not yet realised.

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