Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The children have a bright future in Ireland. Adoption adds an extra dimension to the relationship between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Ireland and has led to good relations.

I commend the Minister on the legislation. I appeal to her to secure a long-term solution to the issue by meeting her ministerial counterpart in Russia. Ireland has a very good record in Russia. When I was a Minister of State I led one of the first trade missions to Moscow. The federation has just been established. We were well received and built a marvellous relationship with the Russian Federation. I have outlined how I personally feel. I have no hesitation in recommending any Minister to meet his or her counterpart. Ireland is an island nation so we must meet our counterparts on an equal standing and basis, not as second-class citizens. We should not rely on this short-term legislation to solve the long-term problem of adoption.

I wish the Minister, the Cathaoirleach, the Clerk, the Assistant Clerk and all the staff of the Houses, particularly the editorial staff and recording engineers, who are so diligent and work so hard to record the message of the House. We are approaching the end of an important year for the Seanad. We all should be very pleased and grateful to the Irish people for their endorsement of this Seanad and House. They rejected the Government and the vicious campaign that was launched, particularly by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton and others.