Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We speak about new politics in this House but it is a pity some of the people who want to see new politics do not accept responsibility and live up to their rancour and calling.

I have a huge issue with the way in which children, in particular, are treated in the system. We talk about child protection. Reference was made to the former Supreme Court judge, Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness, and the possible involvement of the redress board in time. That is what we could be facing. There really is a need for an impetus to bring all of this to a conclusion. The McMahon report was an important and a welcome beginning as was the Living in Limbo study on asylum seekers, repatriation, deportation, rights and entitlements.

The debate today and in the future should not descend into name-calling back and forth. We should adopt a united front to work to change the system so that we can treat people with humanity and as individuals.