Rónán Mullen (Independent)

My contribution is relevant to the points made in response to my earlier contribution and I have not strayed from those points. I am trying to bring about circumstances in which respect as distinct from mere lip service is shown to different points of view.

Senators Bacik and Norris are correct that there is a degree of unenforceability about a child's right to his or her biological parents, particularly when one parent is deceased. Let us remember that the proposal in the amendments tabled by Senators Bacik and Norris is to directly include same-sex adoptions. A judgment must be made when the suitability of parents for adoption is being considered. It is astonishing that the Minister of State and others believe that many issues, for example, the means of prospective adoptive parents and whether they have the correct attitude to parenting, must be considered in determining whether people are suitable for adoption. This process is lengthy and one which I support. Bizarrely, however, I have not heard anything to suggest the Government believes that the presence of a father and a mother should be considered to be a particular advantage when people are being assessed. That is the minimum one would expect. We should not be afraid to say that having two parents of different sexes is a definite advantage, in the same way as having sufficient means and a correct attitude to parenting are considered advantages.

There appears to be a dangerous culture of political correctness which is deliberately blind on that issue. Is such blindness in the best interests of children?