Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Regarding protecting the rights of the child, the Government has been dragging its feet on a series of legislative actions. For example, there is no sign of the child care (amendment) Bill, which is supposed to bring much-needed reform to the guardian ad litemservices used in Ireland, essentially giving a voice to the vulnerable child and protecting children at their most vulnerable in the courts. Others are the gambling control Bill, designed to deal with the issue of children and gambling, the affordable child care Bill and the Adoption (Amendment) Bill. These Bills comprise a suite of measures designed to deal with issues relating to child protection and child care. As the end of this Dáil session approaches, these items of legislation are nowhere near to being brought to a conclusion. That is a particular concern. When can we expect these legislative items to be brought forward?

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