Tá ceist agam faoi the Children First Act. On Friday The Irish Times published a letter from Barnardos, the Children's Rights Alliance and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, expressing concern over Government delays in the commencement of the Children First Act. The Act was enacted this time last year, but only three sections of it have commenced. These groups, which are on the front line in protecting and defending the rights of children, claim that as a result of the Government's inaction, children do not have sufficient legal protection when it comes to their safety. The most recent date given for full commencement is February 2018, more than two years after enactment. I ask that the Government recommit to the safety and security of children as a priority. The Act needs to be implemented in full. Will the Taoiseach commit to an earlier timeframe for the full implementation of the Children First Act?

The legislation has been put through the House and, as the Deputy said, three sections of the Act have been implemented. I saw the letter to which he referred. I do not have from the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs a more detailed timeline for implementation. This morning the Government approved publication of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill which took quite a lot of time to draft. We had discussions with Tusla some time ago about the necessary care of children. I will advise the Deputy of the timescale the Minister is considering and see if it might be possible for it to be accelerated, either for sections or the greater part of it.