Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

The Minister of State is referring mainly to amendments Nos. 5 and 6. The future legislation he talks of will not give both adoptive parents equal rights in terms of adoptive leave. The adopting father will be able to take some unpaid leave. The other amendments are not being accepted, for whatever reasons. I do not accept that the Dáil cannot make a decision which every other country has already taken, because we want to discuss it by means of another process. No dramatic change is involved. It just makes common sense in a modern country. I am disappointed that we have not got the gumption to make a decision in this House. It shows how, in terms of politics, we cannot simply make the decision. The decision makes sense and is correct, yet we want to wait and return to the legislation after a year or two, after negotiations. God knows how long we will have to wait.

This Bill first came before us a year ago. How long will it take to make other little changes to it? It is disappointing and disheartening that we cannot make a decision though everyone agrees the matter speaks for itself. I must press the amendments because this is the only opportunity I will have.

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