Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I acknowledge the work the Minister has done since her appointment, particularly in the context of bringing about a resolution in respect of the issue relating to Vietnam. I was disappointed by the criticism I heard earlier of the role of the former Minister of State, Mr. Barry Andrews, in respect of that matter. Having worked with him on it, I am aware that he did his level best to try to bring about the earliest possible resolution. Those of us who were Members of the Dáil at that time and who were meeting parents, and so on, are aware of the major difficulties which obtained. Mr. Barry Andrews had an enormous personal commitment in respect of trying to see this matter through.

Deputy Finian McGrath referred to the need for absolute clarity in respect of adoptions from Vietnam in order that those who were waiting to make such adoptions during the period to which I refer can proceed to adopt now and to give the children in question the love they deserve and complete their family units. I know the Minister will ensure that this happens.

This debate provides us with the opportunity to consider the work of the Adoption Authority of Ireland and, in particular, its chairman, Mr. Geoffrey Shannon. At a time when so many people are criticising civil and public servants, Mr. Shannon shines as a beacon. I have no doubt he could probably become very wealthy were he to pursue a career in law in the private sector. However, he has chosen to devote much of this time to the welfare and legal protection of children, be it through the work of the Adoption Authority of Ireland or in his role as special rapporteur. The Minister and I spent some time together on the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children and we are aware of the work Mr. Shannon and many others in the sector have done to try to construct a framework which is robust and which respects the emotions of the people involved. The difficulty with adoption and fostering is that emotions can, understandably, run high. That issue lies at the heart of the debate.

The problem in this matter is that the law is an emotionless entity. Law and standards do exactly what it says on the tin. They are in place for a reason and it is important that they are there. When law and standards clash with emotions, various people - including Members of these Houses - get stuck in the middle. Individuals such as Mr. Geoffrey Shannon are there to shine a light, lessen the impact of the clash to which I refer, ensure that the correct laws and protections are put in place and to bring the emotional issues to the debate. Mr. Shannon does that very well. The work of the Adoption Authority of Ireland since its establishment in 2010 is testament to this.

The Hague Convention is crucially important. I read an article in recent days which stated that this issue first arose for Ireland in the context of the adoption of Romanian children some 20 years ago. It has previously had a relatively minor impact in particular cases. There are Members present who probably know individuals who were adopted as babies from Romania and who are now adults. During the past 20 years, the number of countries from which children are being adopted by parents from Ireland and elsewhere has continued to grow. This is a worldwide phenomenon and that is why the Hague Convention is so important.

Nobody doubts the genuine need of parents who travel abroad to adopt children. Equally, no one doubts the love these people are capable of giving. As the events of recent days illustrate, however, there is reason to doubt some of those involved at the other end of the process. The Hague Convention is an attempt to put in place a form of worldwide standard in order that when people invest time and emotion in the process, they will know that - regardless of their intentions - they will not be the innocent victims if anything goes wrong. It must be remembered that in the middle of all this are the children. It has taken a long time to establish the Hague Convention and to get matters right in respect of it. Ireland must seek to try to keep pace with developments relating to this convention and to work to change it, where required. In instances where the convention puts rules in place just for the sake of it, let us alter those rules. Let us not have a system which is so immune to the emotions and love involved in the process that it will get in the way of that process and add to people's pain. Ireland is in a unique position to adopt a robust approach in this regard. The Minister has a great deal of experience - in the context of the time she has spent in both Houses and with regard to her previous career - and she can bring it to bear on the debate surrounding the Hague Convention so that we might make the changes that need to be made.

Deputy Finian McGrath focussed on fostering. Foster parents are the unsung heroes. They bring the children of others into their families and give them love and provide them with stability, often in circumstances in which they have never experienced either. Foster parents set children on a course that leads them to experience the type of happiness and success in later life which they might not otherwise have enjoyed. Following a period with a particular family, the children will either move on to another family or back to their own. However, they will always carry the influence to which I refer with them. The foster parents will then take on other children. In the absence of a robust fostering system, this country - indeed the world - would be a great deal worse off. There are probably hundreds of thousands of people who have had the benefit, love and wisdom of a foster parent that has shaped their future in a much better way than it otherwise might have been. While everybody accepts that adoption in certain circumstances is the best way, there is no doubt that foster parents give huge love and guidance, and we should not forget them in this debate.

At some stage this year - maybe next year - we will have a children's referendum. I would like it to be a stand-alone referendum. I would be concerned if we have a children's referendum that is being piled on top of other referenda. There was talk of a super-referendum day. I hope we learned the lesson from last October. A children's referendum will be very complex, no matter what the intentions are, which we all share. Every sort of spin will be put on it. From having sat through some of the committee meetings, I know that the most honourable of intentions and the most desirable of outcomes are spun and twisted in a way that no one could ever have imagined. In the course of a referendum campaign and given some of the groups that will be involved, that will happen. We need the space for one referendum and only one question. Let nothing else get in the way.

The time of year is also important. People need to give this time and we in this House need to give it time, but it has been dragging on. We have seen different versions of proposed questions. The time has come to draw a line under the debate and put the question to the people, before winter, in order that they can get involved in a rational discussion.

I hope that all the groups who have participated to date will get involved in the referendum. A great amount of effort and time has gone towards the referendum in this House over six or seven years. Many Members who were involved in it have moved on. All I want is a rational debate. Is it too much to ask that we have that? We are talking about children who deserve a rational debate and the utmost protection. People will oppose whatever we come up with, so let us remember who we are talking about and who is at the heart of what we are trying to do.

I commend the Adoption Authority of Ireland, which has been very strong with its new mandate. I wish the Minister well as she carries on with her role. I plead for a rational discussion on the issues that are to be debated. There should be no super-referendum and there should only be one question on children's rights. That is what we owe the children of this country.

See this speech in context