Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

On the face of it I have no difficulty. I have not done very much study of this and perhaps there are overriding issues that will come forward when the Law Reform Commission reports as to why this should not be done. Perhaps even the Deputy may find she will change her mind.

There are two issues involved, as raised by the Deputy, namely, the right of a child to know who its father was or is and the ability of the State to seek maintenance. There is the third issue which is medical, of people knowing their degree of consanguinity. People might have sexual relations with a very close relative. That is a serious issue and could be a potential time bomb in the future. On all those grounds, and on the face of it, I have no difficulty.

However, until somebody places all the facts in front of one it is difficult to make a final decision on anything. I noted very carefully what the Deputy suggested. There is a general measure of agreement and I hope the Deputy will accept that the logical thing to do is to wait for the report of the Law Reform Commission and see how we should proceed.

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