Seanad debates

Thursday, 8 May 2014

11:40 am

Photo of Jillian van TurnhoutJillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will not comment on the events surrounding the former Minister, Deputy Shatter's resignation, but I extend personal thanks to him. When he was Opposition spokesperson on children and I was chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance, he always showed his belief in children's rights, and he certainly took that into his role as Minister for Justice and Equality. His engagement with us as Members of the Seanad is something, perhaps, of which others could take note. When I tabled amendments, he engaged robustly but also fairly with us. He will be a considerable loss to our work, certainly on the long list of issues on which I am working, such as child abuse material on the Internet and the release of counselling notes. I welcome the appointment of the Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, to the position of Minister for Justice and Equality and of Deputy Flanagan to the position of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

I want to raise an issue today. I oppose the Order of Business because I do not agree that we should take three reports without debate. Each of these reports would merit its own debate.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.