Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

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 of those affected and, according to another study with which I am involved, to early school leaving.

In an Oireachtas study currently being carried out, we are looking at a group of students who suffered from homophobic attitudes and investigating how it has contributed to their decisions to leave school. Even this is almost minor compared to the future effect on their attempts to build their own families. It is a complex issue and one that does not go in straight lines. I thank the House for listening to me and I believe this is relevant to the amendments under discussion.