Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I recognise and welcome the fact that the Government, on behalf of its citizens, has decided to ratify the Hague Convention. Some will argue, and rightly so, that this legislation is long overdue. Adoption in itself is a complex and difficult area, but foreign adoption involves even more complex issues and needs to be considered carefully. I am delighted the Minister is spending time in the House and listening to contributions from all sides. I do not want to be critical of Deputy Crawford's comments; he spoke eloquently about the issue. I do not think there is a majority of wisdom on any side of the House with regard to this-----

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