Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail)

I start by wishing my good friend and colleague, Senator Wilson, a very happy birthday. I think we all agree he is looking very well for 70. Today is World Children's Day. On this date in 1959, the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child was adopted and on this date in 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted. This day, 20 November, is a very important day with regard to children. I have just come out of a meeting of the committee on children and equality at which we discussed child poverty and child deprivation. I think we can all agree that a child should be allowed to be a child. Children should have happy, carefree days and enjoy the world while they can. Unfortunately, poverty and deprivation prevent many children from doing that. As legislators, we should take every opportunity we can to help children to make sure there is funding for any programmes which, as I say, will allow a child to be a child.