Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I start by acknowledging what Senator Gavan said that this debate has been very measured. That is very welcome. I think the Minister will also acknowledge that.We all set out to acknowledge that there is a problem here and we need to fix it. That is where we need to get to, and we must do so as quickly as possible.

I will refer to contributions made by my colleagues. Senator Hoey stated that most of what is in this legislation belongs in the past. We have all seen enormous social change in recent years. That is why we are here tonight. In my opening remarks I spoke about the Ireland we have now. As Senator Hoey outlined, the concept of family has changed and that is why this Bill has been introduced by the Labour Party.

Senator Ardagh spoke as well about the need to get there. In fairness to her, she explained some cases she has come across in her daily job. I am sure the Minister hears in her clinics what we hear in ours. People come in asking for direction. That is what this is about. We must give direction. That is the reason we are elected. We are legislators and that is why we have introduced this Bill tonight. I acknowledge that Senator Ardagh accepts there is a problem and that we must work on it.

As ever, Senator Buttimer acknowledged that the Labour Party has introduced this Bill and he gave his support to it. He also acknowledged everything the Minister has done in her time in the Department of Social Protection. He spoke about scaffolding. It is a very good word, and one on which I would like to concentrate for a moment. Scaffolding is great for those who have it but, unfortunately, many of the families that have come to us do not have scaffolding in their hour of need. That is what the Bill is about. It is about putting the scaffolding together as quickly as possible. That must be acknowledged. Senator Buttimer spoke about society and acknowledged the debate on what we have and what we have gone through. We acknowledge Senator Buttimer's contribution tonight. "Scaffolding" is a very appropriate word in the context of the debate. Unfortunately, the scaffolding was not there for Johnny, Maria and the Maria about whom Senator McGahon spoke. That is what we are trying to do here.

Senator Pauline O'Reilly stated the Green Party wants to contribute to the Bill and find solutions. I have no doubt her party will do so and she has done that tonight again. She mentioned the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, carrying out reviews in his Department, which is important. She also spoke about scaffolding. We need the scaffolding to be in place now and that is our intention.

Senator Gavan mentioned timely Bills and measured contributions. Every speaker was measured, which is the way it should be. As he said, that is the way this House would be. I support his call to our friends and colleagues on the opposite side to acknowledge that we have a workable Bill. For the sake of those in the Gallery, those listening in and those who have contacted all our offices, we must not kick it down the road. All the Senators who spoke acknowledged that they had dealt with these issues for people they represent.

As she always does, Senator Flynn made a contribution relating to her own circumstances. That is to be welcomed. Unfortunately, she had to leave after her contribution, but I am sure she will be back again, as she always is.

Senator Higgins, as a member of the Joint Committee on Gender Equality, stated she does not want to see the committee act as a pause button. That is a very important statement. The committee was never set up to act as a pause button and for one of its members to say that tonight must be acknowledged by everybody in this Chamber. It is about bringing forward legislation rather than allowing it to rest and, as Senator Higgins said, to be a pause button.

Senator McGahon spoke about his concerns. Senator Sherlock also raised issues. In the short time I have remaining, my one ask for the Minister is that she work with us and, as per the invitation from a member of the Joint Committee on Gender Equality, that she go to the committee tomorrow. We must not kick this Bill down the road.