Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 was signed by the President this week, the day before yesterday, thereby completing the cycle of this very important legislation. It will be no secret that I am committed to campaigning for further aspects of issues we touched on in this regard. It was disappointing that we could not secure any support from the Government Members of this House for amendments relating to two or three issues I will single out today, the first of which is the drug trials that were carried out illegally on children within State care. In many cases, they are still alive and cannot understand why they have been denied some form of justice. Second, many children, who are now grown-up men and women, were farmed out, sometimes illegally, as child labourers - slaves - in this country for agriculture. Again, we can nod our heads and we can shed a tear, but we did nothing about it. Amendments were put before this House on these issues. I wish those who will benefit from the scheme genuinely well because many aspects of the scheme are excellent. I acknowledge the important work of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. He did sterling work in getting this legislation over the line. My ask, to which I will commit during my remaining time here, is that we try to revisit the recommendations made by the children's committee. We should look at using some other track or some other legislation to support the people who were farmed out and the people who were exposed to drug trials. I am a pragmatist. We all must work together. I hope we can somehow look at some other scheme for them.

I thank the Cathaoirleach's office; the Leader's office, particularly Ms Orla Murray; and Martin and his team - the Clerk and Clerk Assistant of the Seanad - for the way they conduct the orderly running of this House and provide the supports necessary for us to do our work. I also want to put on record my thanks to the amazing Library and Research Service. Like most of us here, I simply could not do my job without the backup and support of the Library and Research Service team in this House. I hope we will continue to have a Library in this House in the current building it is in. I know there is a suggestion that this may change and I will strongly resist it. We need to stand up and be supportive of our Library and Research Service people, who are central to the parliamentary life of this House. We need to support them and demonstrate that support. I wish everyone well. I know that everyone will have loads of reading. I am particularly looking forward to reading the Electoral Commission's report on boundaries at the end of August. That will determine the political career of many people in this House and in the Lower House. I extend my best wishes to everyone for a very good summer.