Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes. The amendment is designed to link sub-article 2.2° with the test established in sub-article 2.1°. Members cannot understand the purpose of my amendment without clearly examining what sub-article 2.1° states. I cannot put it any other way than that. There is no way under heaven that one could create the impression, by linking these two sub-articles, that the intention is for adoption to somehow be the natural follow-on to taking a child into care. There is no way that can be proffered as a reason for rejecting my amendment because it is without logic.

With great respect and courtesy the Minister asked me to consider what she has said and I will. With the same earnestness I ask her to consider her reason for rejecting my amendment. It is illogical and I wish to emphasise that point. I would like to debate, in any forum, with any lawyer who would tell me that is a possible meaning for what I proposed.

I do not like red meat, but it would be an interesting debate. I would be very surprised if anybody could sustain that argument.

The Minister must do the best she can according to her advice, but without that phrase, "in particular", there is the possibility of a separate interpretation of that section on adoption taking free of what is set out in the earlier part.