Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is never easy whatever path we are following to major significant social change. I know that. Sometimes we get it right and sometimes we do not. What is important is that we continue to try to get the rhythm right. That was what I was thinking when I woke up this morning. Having been informed that the Seanad wanted to defer this Bill but would consider it again, I wanted to convey the fact that I had heard the message. I thought we should do that, but perhaps we could do it in a way that would also be constructive and that would allow me to come here and have this kind of exchange. I am most appreciative of the Senators allowing me to do this. I thank the Senators. I again acknowledge the work of Senator Bacik and those who engaged with her work. That allowed me to bring something new to this debate today. I acknowledge all of Senator Bacik's colleagues, especially those who contributed to the amendment. I met some of them last evening as well.

It is very heartening for me to hear what the Senators are saying. As we continue to try to get the rhythm right, I cannot promise there will not be another blip. We will try not to allow that to happen, however. I know how emotional this is for all of us and how important trust is for all of us as well. Even if it appears that we may not be listening to or considering what is said, I hope people will find it within themselves to trust that that is still going on. I hope we can find ways to modulate that emotion so we can continue the work of the intellect. I hope we can also do that in a fashion that will allow us to call on the expertise of our legal eagles and, most especially, the expertise and experience of the adopted persons and the natural parents, as well as their families, their children and their children's children. I will be issuing invitations tomorrow to all of the different groups I mentioned in my opening statement to start that process. I hope we can move as quickly as we can while at the same time getting the rhythm right. I thank the Senators.