Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach chun an Bille um Shaoire Uchtaíoch 2004 a phlé. Molaim é freisin as ucht na suime atá aige an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a réiteach.

The legislation is indicative of the caring element within the Government which seeks to ensure that everybody will be accommodated in a fair way. Child care, adoption and children in general have been tremendous priorities for the Government in recent years and the needs of adoptive parents are being recognised in this legislation.

Many people have adopted children in the past. Adoption is a most Christian act and illustrates the caring ethos that exists in our society. It has provided opportunities for children who would otherwise not have had them because of the circumstances into which they were born. The parents of such children might not have been in a position to maintain and rear them. Parents who were not in a position to have their own children have gained a great sense of fulfilment from being able to adopt children. I have always found it remarkable that in some instances it was not only parents who were unable to have children who adopted but also those who already had families of significant size. As a result of their beliefs and selfless attitudes, the latter adopted children and reared them to be tremendous citizens. Adoption is deserving of support and recognition and the Bill provides these.

As the Minister correctly pointed out, there has been a trend in recent times towards the adoption of foreign children. Many people have travelled abroad to adopt and have invested a great deal of effort into securing adoptions. The children they brought back to this country will be reared as Irish citizens and will have access to all the opportunities we have enjoyed as a result of our citizenship of this State.

As the Minister indicated, the Bill came about as a result of a commitment in Sustaining Progress. The latter emerged from our system of social partnership, which has been of significant economic benefit to this country. In the late 1980s, the Government of the day pioneered this new and enlightened approach to society and the country's economic well-being. At that time there were serious challenges to that well-being and unemployment had reached significant levels. Social partnership has been an important component in ensuring the country's economic well-being and in securing the improved and enhanced lifestyle people now enjoy.

The recent report on Seanad reform recognises that there is, perhaps, a certain gap between what happens within the social partnership framework and the Houses of the Oireachtas. I welcome the recommendation in the report that the Seanad should play a greater role in addressing that lacuna and have increased interaction and liaison with the social partners. I hope this recommendation will be taken on board in terms of changing the structure and the functions of the House.

There is a belief that much of the social legislation we are putting in place is having some effect on small businesses. It is important we are mindful and measure that as we make the necessary changes. As was stated here previously, competitiveness will, ultimately, determine our economic sustainability. It is in everybody's interest that we remain competitive.

It is right and just that people who adopt children enjoy the same entitlements as natural parents for the rearing of those children, particularly in the early stage which allows them to bond with the child and come to terms with parenthood. The Government should be commended for providing for this in this legislation. I am glad to support this Bill.