I thank the Deputy.

Sentiment score: 0.36

We are moving to the Labour Party.

Sentiment score: 0.40

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Sentiment score: 0.27

I commend Deputy Gogarty on bringing forward this motion. The Irish State can no longer facilitate children and young people being silenced within the courts system. I have read the in camera rule report commissioned by the Minister's Department and published by UCC and Trinity College Dublin in May of last year. It is undoubtedly research of fundamental importance that cuts to the heart of our family law system, most specifically problematic interpretations of the in camera rule. As Dr. Aisling Parkes said when launching the research, "What emerged as one of the most significant findings is the striking absence of public knowledge and understanding of what goes on behind the closed doors of the family law courts". This study did not hear directly from children and young people. Research from this perspective would be very beneficial in contributing to the discourse. As a social researcher, I understand the ethical considerations associated with such research but it is a limitation nonetheless. It appears that, while the in camera rule sets out to do something intrinsically positive, there are many unintended consequences. The majority of respondents believed they did not know enough about the rule. That, in itself, is deeply problematic. Recommendation 6 of the report is to "Protect the privacy rights of children and parties in family law proceedings". It is imperative that this is continued and prioritised. I draw Members' attention specifically to what the report says about children in care. It says, "Some children who are in State care are effectively silenced when they wish to speak about their experiences if they are identifiable as a child in care (by way of court order)." Coupled with an 18-month-long District Court inquiry into Tusla, which determined that Tusla had failed in its statutory duty to 471 children, this paints a disgracefully worrying picture for those who are the most vulnerable beings in our State. Yesterday, I called for an independent review of Tusla. I did not do so lightly. I repeat that call here today. No one in this House needs reminding of the harrowing reality of the experiences shared by those young people, whose stories were featured on RTÉ just last week. It is unacceptable that children and young people are silenced, that children and young people are failed and that children and young people in the care of this State must suffer any more. I support this motion. I once again commend Deputy Gogarty for raising the issue. I just wonder whether the political appetite is there to one day reach a point at which motions like this one will be irrelevant and when children and young people in the care of this State will have their rights fulfilled, services offered to them and their voices rightfully amplified throughout the process. If not, we should no longer call it State care, but State-sponsored neglect.

Sentiment score: 0.09

That is the Deputy’s time up.

Sentiment score: 0.00