Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Briefly, I am sorry the Minister is not available as he is otherwise engaged but I have no doubt that he will engage with the Senator. However, I refer to the thrust of what he has being saying.

The family, as we know it, is a central part of what we want to protect in Ireland. We always value what the family stands for and what it does in regard to older people and protecting our children and young people. However, one has to look at the human rights aspect of this. People in different parts of the world have different views on this. In Ireland, the family is a central part of what we stand for and I know the Minister thinks the same. The family is fundamental to Irish society and that is what we want to protect.