Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 8, to delete lines 24 to 26.

The proposed amendment is aimed at removing what I believe to be a get-out clause on the part of the Department and the Child and Family Agency. Although I have stated that the Bill is welcome and that Sinn Féin will not be opposing it as it is a step in the right direction, it is not without its flaws. Why would one put resources into developing a plan that one does not have to implement? I am not saying that the plan should not be developed but that the resources to implement it must be there. The amendments I proposed which were ruled out of order were an attempt to tighten the legislation at, I believe, minimal cost.

A man who has spent time in care expressed his disappointment to me regarding the Bill and said it was a tick-the-box exercise with all smiles for the cameras. They are his words, not mine. He said vulnerable voices are going unheard once again. I hope the Bill will be revisited at a later date to try to strengthen it and ensure an obligation of responsibility is met by the policy makers.

See this speech in context