Mary White (Fianna Fail)

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is the main driver of child care policy for the Government and it is important that the senior Minister is here for this debate. If we were debating a criminal, justice or legal issue he would have remained in the Chamber. My experience is that he remains in the Chamber for the full debate, and I have nothing against the Minister of State.

I admire Senator Terry. She revealed another string to her bow this evening when she said she was involved in child care. That is another of her assets. I am a great admirer of Senator Terry and I do not wish to be personal in making that remark.

I have occasional contretemps with Senator O'Meara but she was right to put this issue back on the agenda because it is currently the subject of major discussion. It was even discussed on the radio today. There is a feeling of helplessness among parents about the child care issue.

I have been studying the issue of child care for the past six months. In November I had the privilege of presenting to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, the Government party, my view on the state of child care in the country, and I got great support at the meeting. I could not say I got an ovation — I do not want to exaggerate — but I had been engaged in a detailed project for six months with other Fianna Fáil colleagues including Councillor Julia Carmichael, Dr. Orla McCarthy, a doctor of electronic engineering, and Niamh Cooper. We compiled this document together. We also met the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen. I am sure Senators will agree the report was a major bonus to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.

I hold in my hand a small sample of the studies that have been done on child care.