Results 4,701-4,720 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: When I talked about the holier-than-thou tone it was not directed at the Senator personally but rather at his line of argument.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I will stick to the amendment. This is a very——

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I wish to stick to the amendment, which is concerned with whether same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt children in this jurisdiction. The righteous tone is a little damaging. If only life were so simple and straightforward. The Senator's approach has worked perfectly for me. I am not talking about something with which I do not agree, but I am thinking about how complex life is for...

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am not straying from the amendment.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I wish to finish my point. It was regrettable that the word "destructive" was used, because it is a particularly damaging word in the context of parents and babies. I would use this word, however, in the context of which Senator Fitzgerald spoke — the damaging homophobic attitudes that have been upheld in our school system. These have contributed to serious mental health problems in some...

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I have two concerns in relation to these amendments. I am inclined to agree with Senator Bacik in regard to the rigidity of section 16 in particular. What is the situation if the father cannot be found or if there is not certainty — this does relate to only this amendment — in terms of who is the father? The Minister of State might address those questions. Currently as I understand it,...

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: On a point of order, I did not get an answer to my question.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I know but I asked about a father who is consulted but chooses, wishes and requests not to be named on the birth certificate. What then is the right of the child?

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: If the social worker goes to the father and explains that he has a child and the father chooses to reject the child——

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: He may be supporting the adoption but does not wish——

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: My question is about the birth certificate.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I noted it was not here but thought it was an important issue in respect of the rights of the child.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We are talking so much about rights today, the rights of couples, fathers, mothers, and of the child but is it fair to the child that the father can say he does not wish to be named?

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It could easily have been written into this Bill.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Would it be appropriate on Report Stage?

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Amendment No. 50 refers to section 81, which states: "The Authority may enter into an arrangement with a non-contracting state that is not a party to a bilateral agreement if...the prospective adopters are relatives of the child". The amendment would continue this with "or have previously adopted a child from a non-contracting state". I support the amendment on the grounds it would be...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: He did not deal with the grandfather clause.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: That is not true.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is a sensitive and important issue. It is not helpful to talk about people's sincere views as destructive. It is not good to be holier than thou because ultimately we are deciding who has the right to be a parent and the construct in which they have that right. I do not want this debate to be polarised into who is right and who is wrong, it is too important for that. I was...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The whole point of this Bill is to facilitate families in Ireland who can provide a loving and secure home for children, many of whom are in institutions and would benefit from a good home, to do so. I speak in favour of these amendments. Some 78% of families in Ireland seeking to adopt children want to do so from countries that have not signed the Hague Convention or countries with which...