Grace foster care terms of reference
Senator Mark Daly and Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee raise the Grace foster care scandal and ask that the planned debate be expanded to include the 46 other children associated with the home.
I would like to share co-leadership of this side of the House with my colleague, Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, to mark-----
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Normally, I would not allow it, but in view of the fact that this is International Women's Day, I will make an exception, if the House agrees. Will I stop the Senator after one minute or two minutes?
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The Cathaoirleach need only give me one minute. He can give two minutes to my co-leader.
It is sad that International Women's Day is being marked by the issue of Grace and the disgraceful failure of the system. I know that the Leader is organising another debate on the issue tomorrow, but we want the terms of reference to be expanded to include the 46 others who were in the foster home. In 1992 bruising and injuries were noticed on a another person living in the home, yet nothing happened and people continued to be sent to it. In a land where there are no consequences, things continued to happen and we hear the same thing over and over again. Committee Stage of the Corporate Manslaughter (No. 2) Bill will be taken in the House in April. We want people who fail to go to jail for their actions. We will make sure the Bill is passed by the House because the best thing we can do is not to have endless discussions about the past but rather discuss how we can change the actions of people in the future.