Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

The Minister in what was an excellent exposition of general policy in this area has not addressed or given her view on the amendment. I know that is a matter for the Cathaoirleach. Our amendment sets out what the Minister set out in the Dáil last week. It offers the chance to copperfasten for those children and parents exactly what was said by the Minister last week in the Dáil. Is she serious about it or is it just a get-out clause due to political pressure? Is this just going to be a fight with Fine Gael and the Tánaiste, Deputy Gilmore, with the children and parents used as pawns in this political game? The Minister said something in the Dáil. We are now saying it should be enacted. If she does put it into the legislation, she will find much of this debate will be over and done with. I urge the Minister to support amendment No. 4 and put into legislation what she said she would do last week. Alternatively, will the Minister tell us why this amendment cannot be accepted in the legislation? That has not been explained at all so far.