Mary White (Fianna Fail)

This is a most important Bill. I refer to the delay involved. It would be beneficial if the duration of the process was shortened. Two and a half or three years can be like a lifetime. I will present my document on suicide prevention to the Sub-Committee on the High Level of Suicide in Irish Society at 3 p.m. today. The HSE moves very slowly. The Minister of State should consider a non-profit organisation and should examine what is done in other countries. From the point of view of the child and the parent, this period is far too long. I do not see why common sense cannot prevail. I do not want to hold up the Minister of State's work in this regard but it would be a wonderful day's work if we could decrease waiting times with this Bill. I know people who think that the waiting time is too long and that they could not go through that experience, yet there are children in the world who could do with homes.

I am not suggesting that we rush this Bill, nor am I being critical, but this is typical of the public sector. I am dealing with another issue and because there are so many people involved in the unit of the organisation, the issue I am dealing with must be considered by six people. A private company or a non-profit organisation could deal with this through one person. Because the number of people employed in the organisation is so bloated, several people must give their opinions on the matter. We are missing out on the human and emotional lifetime challenge and opportunity for the child. For a parent who is deprived of the ability to have a child, this waiting period is cruel. It is archaic and it is about time we got to grips with it.