Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I support the call by Senator Fitzgerald for some progress to be made on the dispute that has arisen between the Ombudsman for Children and the HSE. I am not going to take sides in this because I do not know the facts. I hope there is not an element of grandstanding going on. Equally, however, I was not impressed by the suggestion, which was stated by the Ombudsman for Children, that the HSE wanted legal representation. We have all seen the cost of that. This is an issue that should be resolved between two State agencies. It reflects badly on both of them that the dispute should continue.

I also wish to refer to the comments on adoption issues. We have all been bombarded by e-mails in this regard. One person kindly sent me an e-mail, which obviously was circulated to many others, asking me to join in ensuring we bombard Members of the Oireachtas to see if a head of steam could be created over this particular issue. I am surprised at some of the comments made here because if anybody checks with the Minister and his Department, they will find there are serious issues which must be addressed in those bilateral talks. Until they are resolved progress will obviously not be made, but it is a serious issue for the people concerned. Having spoken directly to the Minister, I know he is taking a hands-on approach to it.