Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator McFadden's call for a debate on A Vision for Change. In light of the report launched by the Minister yesterday it would be useful at this stage if the Leader could make arrangements for the Minister to attend the House to discuss the next steps in the implementation of A Vision for Change. It has been recognised by everybody, including the Minister, that the progress made has not been at a pace we would wish. While the economy is in a serious position currently, it is important that Members of this House take every opportunity to ensure that people with disabilities and mental health illnesses do not get left behind in these very difficult economic times.

Will the Leader indicate when the legislation covering capacity for vulnerable adults will be brought forward? We had hoped to have it prior to Christmas. Is there an update on that?

There are no words to express the horror, upset and distress caused to everyone who has heard the details of the Roscommon incest case. It is clear there are lessons to be learned. There must be as full an inquiry as possible and those of us in the House, and people in other appropriate areas of society, must have the opportunity to consider carefully the findings of that inquiry. There appear to have been a number of events over the years and a study of each of those events will help us inform our own role here. Senator Healy-Eames asked why we are here but we have an important role here in terms of legislation and the contributions we make to debates.

The Health Service Executive tried to take the children into care. It went to court but its desire to take the children into care was opposed, it appears, by an organisation which believed it was acting in the interests of the family in question. Members of the Oireachtas can play a role by communicating a message that this is not a battle between the rights of the family and the rights of the child but trying to ensure everyone is society is protected to the maximum possible extent.

Twenty months ago, the then Taoiseach made a commitment to hold a referendum on the rights of the child. An Oireachtas joint committee is examining the proposed referendum. While its work has been slow, this is a reflection of interest in the issue and the large number of submissions made by members of the public. Senator Fitzgerald will agree that one of the issues to have emerged in the deliberations has been the number of organisations which mistakenly believe the joint committee's purpose is to attack the family and that they must make submissions to protect the family. Our role is not to attack the family but to try to ensure children are afforded the best possible protection in the interests of their safety. While we must consider legislation and the wording of any referendum which may be necessary, Senators must also convey the message at every opportunity that our role is not to attack families. The rights of the family and the rights of the child can operate in tandem.