Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to add my voice to the welcome for this amendment. I also wish to welcome the Minister and thank him, in particular, for accepting the amendment. He gave Members great heart on Committee Stage when he stated that if he had his way, the amendment would be accepted. I spoke at length on this amendment on Committee Stage but I reiterate my thanks and appreciation to Senator van Turnhout for the work she put into it. She has been the driving force behind the amendment. One sometimes might hear people stating that a Senator was not elected to the Seanad but instead was nominated or whatever. Senator van Turnhout has proved today why she was nominated to be a Member of this House. She brought her expertise with her - having worked with the Children's Rights Alliance - and now, having utilised it, she has accomplished what she set out to achieve. Today, I am proud to be part of the Government which has accepted this amendment. I speak on behalf of all my Labour Party colleagues, who support fully this amendment and are delighted that it has been accepted. I am sure our leader, Senator Bacik, will reaffirm this point when she speaks later.

In recent weeks I have discussed this proposal with people and have told them what is happening. Approximately 99% of them were in agreement with the proposal and stated that it is fantastic and represents a great move on the part of the Senator. Some others have shown a little reservation about it. One point that arose continually relates to people's concern with regard to how it will be policed and how we will know if children are being slapped at home. I recall that when the smoking ban was introduced, people thought it would never be possible to police it. However, the ban came into force and it worked. Moreover, because it involved an entire cultural change, it stopped people smoking in private houses. People who visit my home will go outside for a fag. I have never stopped them from so doing because I do not really like it in the house. Although there was no obligation on them to leave a private house to go out and smoke, they did so nevertheless. The smoking ban appears to have involved a culture change for people and I believe that what is proposed here will also involve a culture change. That change will focus people's minds on the issue. They can concentrate and conclude they can no longer slap a child. Regardless of how gentle one might be in doing so, one cannot slap a child. I believe that 99% of the people are honourable and will abide by this law. I thank all those present in the Gallery who have put a lot of work into this measure in conjunction with Senator van Turnhout, the Minister and his officials. It is a great day on which I am proud to be present in the Seanad. What we are doing shows that this House was worth keeping.