Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Bacik for her work in helping me to get the Bill through the House. She is right. We do need to read the Bill in light of the sections coming up and clarify some of the issues legitimately raised. The rights of the father are much improved in this legislation. The father's consent cannot be dispensed with without reference to the High Court and that is a dramatic improvement on what was there before.

Senator Prendergast is not here to press the amendment but we do not intend to accept it because we feel the right balance is struck and section 19 states that in all questions "the State, the Authority or the court...shall regard the welfare of the child as the first and paramount consideration". I apologise to the Leas-Chathaoirleach for going ahead. That will be the guiding principle in assessing whether the father has been appropriately consulted and if it is sought to dispense with the consent of the father.

I oppose amendment No. 4 because I think the right balance is struck between the rights of the natural father, the mother and of course the rights of the child.