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

I thank the Minister for that detailed reply. I also acknowledge the work of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, in this area as well. There is a problem, however, and it is urgent. I refer to what to do about the children and their mothers, or fathers, who have been before the courts in the context of some cases where gardaí were ordered by the courts to go into classrooms, take the children out and place them in the hands of the person from whom they were previously taken. It is, to say the least, a contradiction. It is dangerous. The unfortunate part is the use of section 47, which is drawn from Dr. Richard Gardner's proposals in the United States. These have been discredited. To my mind, they are disgraceful in the sense that children, and their mothers in particular, have been left crying in the court. In some cases, the mother was placed in a cell while the matter was being discussed.

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