Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am almost reluctant to praise the Minister of State after all the glory that has been showered on him but he hit the ground running. It cannot have been easy for him. There is a transition from backbencher to ministerial office. One has to get one's feet under the table and read one's brief.

I endorse everything that has been said about the manner in which he has taken this debate. What struck me was that he has proven to be accommodating to points of view while at the same time holding the line on the original legislation, which is the role of any Minister because of all the hard work that has gone into the drafting. I am sure the unintended consequences are thought out and discussed in advance of the Bill coming before either House.

I am particularly pleased that he has indicated there will be further reflection on the various issues raised here, and particularly on the last amendment. Senator van Turnhout referred to the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill which might address this particular issue on the last amendment. I find it particularly instructive because the lead Minister in the Department, the Tánaiste, is herself adopted. I felt totally inadequate in the presence of Senator Healy Eames as an adoptive parent who has adopted children, that I would never be able to understand, even though I am a parent of children, the dynamic between parents who adopt and their adopted children because it is a living dynamic between them. That is why this particular issue is so complex and will require the wisdom of a Solomon-like Minister to resolve the issues raised here that will accommodate the two points of view.

I compliment the Minister of State on a section of the Bill which hopefully will stop the type of marriage which has taken place here, particularly since 2004 when the 11 new states became members of the EU where people have sought Irish citizenship under false pretences. I am pleased the Government has moved on an issue which was identified some years ago and nothing was done about it. There was much talk about it but no action. I am pleased the Bill addresses that issue. I hope it will be enforced. As has often been said in this and the other House, we are good at passing laws but sometimes we are not great at enforcing them. As Senator Marie Moloney said on the fact of it, the Bill may have appeared simple and straightforward but it had all sorts of nuances attached to it as the debate has proven. As the Bill moves to the Dáil the level of debate will be interesting from the Minister of State's perspective. In this House we always pride ourselves on having more time and Ministers themselves have more time to reflect on legislation rather than the somewhat adversarial environment in which the Dáil operates. I hope the Bill goes through the other House without too much difficulty. I look forward to seeing the Minister of State in this House on other legislation. I am happy to support the Bill.