Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to the House. I agree with all those who have said this is wonderful legislation. I also agree with Senator Minihan who said we owe foster parents our gratitude. Without them where would the 5,000 foster children the Minister of State mentioned be?

I am privileged to know some foster children as well as foster parents. One I know is now a young lady of 21. She has been in foster care with different families from the age of 18 months. While she considers herself to be exceptionally lucky on the one hand, she feels unlucky on the other because her sister was adopted, but her mother, who is long-term psychiatric care, never gave her up for adoption. This young lady is now attending third level and studying to be a social worker. What better career for a person who has been raised with the help of social workers.

I welcome the Bill and wish it a safe passage through the House.