Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Order of Business is No. 1, Adoption Bill 2009 — Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to adjourn not later than 3 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 2, statements on the Irish language, shall be taken at the conclusion of No. 1, but not before 3.45 p.m. and conclude not later than 5 p.m. — Senators may speak for five minutes and share time by agreement of the House, the Minister to be called upon within five minutes of the conclusion of the debate for concluding comments; and No. 21, Private Members' motion No. 35 on Seanad reform shall be taken at the conclusion of No. 2 but not before 5 p.m. and shall conclude not later than 7 p.m.

Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Yesterday we saw unanimous and widespread condemnation of the brutal murders of two soldiers and a young police constable, whose wife said this morning that she felt her life was over as well. It was good to see the political unity of all parties, North and South, and I ask the Leader to arrange time for an all-party motion in this House to express our condemnation and outrage at these killings. It is important — I know every Senator would agree — that we send a loud and clear message on our views on these horrific deaths. I hope the Leader will be able to organise that, either today or tomorrow.

Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Hear, hear.

Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I want to ask the Leader to ensure there is adequate time before the emergency budget in April to debate our views on what it should contain. It is really important to have such an opportunity, as requested by many Senators, to debate in this House what we believe the priorities should be and where action should be taken.

I want to focus in particular on one area today, namely, the protection of children in this country. It is very clear that in a time of recession tough decisions have to be taken, but it is extremely important that certain values and priorities are protected and highlighted. The recent cuts in special needs education are very dangerous in the long-term, and I ask that they be reviewed. I also want to call for a mechanism for an independent review of child deaths. There have been 22 deaths of children in care over a six-year period. Unlike many other countries there is no mechanism in Ireland to review child deaths independently. We need such a mechanism and I compliment the Ombudsman for Children for the work she has done in this area. Children have been dying in care and we have not had objective, transparent reports analysing what has happened and learning lessons from this. That is particularly important, but looking at the broader picture other jurisdictions, such as that of British Columbia, for example, have child death review mechanisms. We can learn many lessons about prevention, new procedures that need to be put in place and new initiatives in hospitals. I ask that the Minister of State with responsibility for children attend the Seanad and give his reaction to the report of the Ombudsman for Children on this area.