Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I will finish, a Cheann Comhairle. I will explain my position in a moment. This places couples who might be eight or ten years down the road in terms of wanting to adopt a child, or a second child, in a very stressful position. I do not wish to say the Bill should not be read a Second Time but we should get a commitment from the Taoiseach that he will introduce a reasoned amendment that will allow for transitional arrangements for couples who are either currently well advanced or in the process of being approved for adoptions from, in particular, Russia, Vietnam and Ethiopia - countries that have not signed the Hague Convention. It would be appropriate for the Government to respond to the stressful conditions that many of those couples from all over the country are now experiencing.

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