Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. On my own behalf and on behalf of Labour Party Senators, I would like to add my voice to recommending Dr. Niall Muldoon for the position of Ombudsman for Children. This is one of the most important positions in the country, as the role of the ombudsman is to safeguard the rights and welfare of children, at all times giving an objective ruling on complaints made by children or an adult on their behalf. Dr. Muldoon, as Ombudsman for Children, must also accept and investigate complaints made with regard to the State and how decisions made by it affect children. On that note, with Senator Leyden I acknowledge the role played by Fianna Fáil in appointing the first Ombudsman for Children, a good move that has reaped benefits.

Dr. Niall Muldoon, with his vast wealth of expertise and knowledge will make an excellent ombudsman. His role as director of services at the Children at Risk in Ireland Foundation, CARI, and subsequent provision of counselling and therapy to children and families who are victims of sexual abuse will benefit him in his new role. He has over 20 years experience in child protection and played a key role in moving child protection forward. I wish him the very best and know he will be up to the many challenges that lie ahead.

I listened with interest to Senator Leyden's submission about the slapping of children and how we can manage without slapping them. I quite agree with him and was thinking as he was speaking about whether I ever slapped my children. I know of course I would probably have given a tap on the back of the hand or maybe on the backside. My daughter always says that when she saw me going for the wooden spoon she would run, although I never used it on her. I recall that when I would have an occasion to maybe chastise my son or reprimand him for something I would send him to his bedroom. I found out that he used to absolutely love it because he loved nothing better than a good read in the quiet of his bedroom. It was never a punishment for him - he used to enjoy being sent up to his room.