Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister's knowledge on the subject is obvious. I welcome the legislation being brought forward by the Minister, Deputy McEntee. It is not before time. The problem, however, is that there are a number of children and their parents who are already victims of the system, where mothers are prevented even from meeting with the children and are subject to the most appalling hardship and disregard in regard to the children's rights and entitlements and the mothers' own rights. They have important maternal rights. At this moment, these rights are being abused. I have seen evidence to the effect that Tusla cannot decide what it should do because it is prevented from following its own conscience and responsibilities by the in camerarule.

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