Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Surely the litmus test is whether the father has demonstrated an enthusiasm and willingness to step up and be a father. If that has been established it would be very dangerous to take it away. I appreciate the intention behind the changes. We know there have been real difficulties with the non-biological father, who has established that willingness and enthusiasm and assumed the role of father but is denied that by the peculiarities of our legal system.