Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to get an opportunity. I regret that this debate is taking place around this political row that is going on. I do not think it is right. It does not sit right for me. The timing of this does not appear to be right.

No one of us here would stand for the abuse or neglect of children. They are the most vulnerable in our society and we must seek to protect them at all times. I also have questions about Tusla. I also have questions for the Minister, Roderic O'Gorman, about children who are missing and not accounted for. We do not hear that he is doing anything about it to allay our concerns because I do not believe he is and I cannot understand that. When I get told in places like Castleisland and Killarney that people are concerned about children who go missing from State care, that is not good enough. I have raised the matter here before and there should be answers.

Regarding Tusla, taking children from their birth mother is a very serious issue. A little baby of four or six months, or one or two years is taken and the mother might not get them back for another two or three years. The bonding that develops between a mom and her child is broken up. Tusla should be going the other way completely to ensure that every option is tried before the child is taken away from their mother. I have encountered a number of cases of this and I am not at all happy. I have to say there are good people in Tusla, but I do not know who is directing them, who is advising them or who is instructing them to do this because I do not believe it is fair. It is not fair on the bonding between a mother and her child to take them away and break up the family unit. The mom and the child form what we know to be a family unit and they have to be protected at all times. When they start on the right footing, that is where they stay.

See this speech in context