Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House to discuss an issue that is close to my own heart. The Bill, which gives effect to our constitutional provisions, has been a long time coming. In 1992, Ireland ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 2010, it passed the Adoption Act and subsequently ratified the Hague convention on the protection of children and co-operation in respect of adoption. In 2012, the Thirty-first Amendment to the Constitution (Children) Act was introduced and followed by referendum on children's rights. We then had the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. At last, after this long journey, the Minister has introduced the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016.

Having grown up in a children's orphanage in Dún Laoghaire where many hundreds of children lived, I have personal experience of this issue which I would like to share with the House. I was only a few days old when I entered the orphanage. I lived there for sixteen and a half years, which is a long time. I knew on the date of my seventh birthday that I would not be adopted because a family who wanted to adopt me and take me into their care were denied the opportunity to do so. However, they continued to have a relationship and friendship with me that I cherish to this day. From an experience such as this, one learns a few things and develops a great interest in this issue.

The Bill recognises children as being at the centre of adoption. We learned from the redress scheme and other stories that have been told of the great pain, anxiety, suffering and vulnerability of many children in care. That was then, however. Today, many hundreds of children are in care, some of them for five, six or seven years. These children must not be denied an opportunity to be fostered or adopted. Fostering and adoption are not for all children, however, and good State care is sometimes the best option. For this reason, a suite of opportunities must be available to suit the needs of each child and his or her particular needs

We must always recognise the heritage of children. I got to know my parents and built with relationships with them, which I valued. I am the youngest of seven children, all of whom were placed in care at different stages and in different institutions. We are brothers and sisters and we meet and celebrate as family. I cherish and love this tradition. Let us not lose sight of the fact that parents bring children into the world with good intentions and to love and care for them. They do not always want to abandon them but circumstances visit this upon them. The church visited it on some families and single parents. Likewise, families have forced people to abandon their children for inheritance reasons or for land, farms or other circumstances. That is the history of this issue and it is also my history and the reason I can discuss it.

It is important that we encourage and acknowledge the birth mother and father because they also have a role to play. We must not lose sight of the fact that they will experience terrible regret and loss. At the same time, we must acknowledge what children want, namely, care, love and affection. Regardless of whether it is two men, two women, a man and a woman or one person, provided they can nourish, cherish, love and encourage a child, they will be the answer. I salute the Minister because she has done a great deal of work in this area.

When I was seven years old I knew I could never be adopted because at the age of seven, we were told we would stay in the orphanage until we were 16 or 17 years or until we could hack it in the world. This is what we did but it is something no child should have to do. I met children who returned from a fostering experience with terrible stories. We must be careful about those to whom we foster children and those who are adopting children.

The Bill is wonderful and I thank the Minister for the 42 points she brought us through today. However, it will all be meaningless if the necessary resources, including care packages, scrutiny and monitoring are not provided. We need to ensure education, health services, care workers and advocates for children dovetail. People talk about the need for advocacy. Children need advocates. I knew what I was doing at six or seven years of age, as did most other children, and sometimes I was good, bad, wrong or manipulative. It is important to have advocates for children who can represent them.

A recent survey of care leavers shows that many of them would have liked the opportunity to have been adopted or fostered. There are three or perhaps more options because not everything fits together. I spoke about the important role of the birth family. How could anyone not support a Bill that allows married parents to place their children for adoption in certain circumstances? I have received many nasty letters from people in recent days in which they refer to the suitability of people, the erosion of the powers of the family and the constitutional provisions that make family a very special place. This is not right. When children are shown love, care and support, they will flourish. It is important that cohabiting couples, those in civil partnerships and anyone else who is suitable, caring and loving and can provide stability for children be allowed to do so.

I am convinced the Minister has done an exceptional job in bringing her insight, knowledge and experience to this Bill. I feel this in every word she has written and spoken. She is putting in place unique legislation and I am more than happy to support it.