Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I have been rather stunned to read in The Irish Times of the cases of children and young people who died in State care of non-natural causes between 2000 and 2010. A 12 year old girl died in 2008, a 15 year old girl died in 2000, a 16 year old boy died in 2003, a baby girl died in 2008, a 17 month old boy died in 2003, an 18 year old died in 2002 and a 17 year old male died in 2009. These are only some of the cases. This shows clearly that children in the care of the State have not been safe in our country. Obviously, they were not safe in their families or homes or they would not have been in care in the first place. We must put our full weight behind the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, and the programme of reforms she has started. Early intervention and appropriate care must be given to children in vulnerable families who need our care. Above all, I ask the Leader to ask the Government to expedite as quickly as possible the children's rights referendum, which will allow for the first time ever that children in care from families where the parents have been married can be adopted. This is huge. It has never happened in this State before. It has always been controversial but, clearly, where families cannot take care of their children, why should the children languish in State care if there are families out there who wish to adopt them? Bring on the children's rights referendum as soon as possible.