Results 1,861-1,880 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Barry Andrews: What was the question?

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Barry Andrews: Will the Senator repeat that?

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Barry Andrews: Is he opposing or supporting the adoption?

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Barry Andrews: Is the Senator mixing this situation up with guardianship?

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Barry Andrews: That is a guardianship issue. Maybe we can discuss this again.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Barry Andrews: My official has given me a prompt. Section 22 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 provides: The father of a child who was not married to the mother of the child at the date of his or her birth or at any time during the period of 10 months before such birth shall not be required to give information under this Act about the birth. The registrar shall enter the father's details in the register...

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Barry Andrews: That is not a matter for this legislation but it is worth scoping out on another occasion.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Barry Andrews: If the Senator wishes she can table an amendment to that effect but it is not appropriate in this Bill.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Barry Andrews: The Senator can submit an amendment.

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

Barry Andrews: I understand that because amendments Nos. 2, 14 and 50 are being taken together we should debate them together.

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

Barry Andrews: I do not mind addressing them again.

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

Barry Andrews: I will speak to that issue.

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

Barry Andrews: For future reference, should we not debate amendments together?

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

Barry Andrews: We have held wide-ranging discussions with the International Adoption Association on the grandfather clause and I have explained our reasons for not permitting it. The clause arises in this grouping of amendments for the simple reason that the arguments I made earlier apply in respect of it. We are introducing standard setting legislation and people have been crying out for us to sign up to...

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

Barry Andrews: I acknowledge that the Senator claims to possess research that would suggest otherwise but my information indicates that no such evidence exists. It boils down to the question of whether psychological ties are more easily formed between people from the same cultural backgrounds or if it is the common humanity among people from various ethnic backgrounds that determines whether such ties can...

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Barry Andrews: I thank Senators for their extensive contributions on these two amendments. Gay men and lesbians make very good parents. It must be made clear they always have and always will. We must also acknowledge that many same-sex couples foster children. They are entrusted to them by the State through the Health Service Executive proving the State does not have any set view on this matter. The...

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

Barry Andrews: I thank Senators for their contributions on this important area. It has occupied much of my time in preparing this legislation over the past six months. I have had many discussions with the Adoption Association and many parents who approached me in my constituency office and elsewhere on this matter. I have received many e-mails from parents concerned about the situation, particularly as...

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

Barry Andrews: I will deal first with the suggestion that we are proceeding too quickly. The Adoption Bill has been a long time in gestation. We published it five or six weeks ago after extensive consultation with the representative groups over the past few years. Since my appointment I have met the groups whenever they have requested such meetings and there is a very good relationship between them, the...

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

Barry Andrews: Please do.

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

Barry Andrews: In that case, the figure is cited in anticipation that Ireland will not have a bilateral agreement with Vietnam. Let us not give the impression that three quarters of applicants will be left high and dry, even if we secure an agreement with Vietnam.