Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not support the amendment. We have had a long process of pre-legislative scrutiny to get to this point. The Bill is very much based on children's rights. We are at last providing for a regulated framework, which means that children's rights will be extinguished if we do not bring forward this legislation. That is why I believe the Bill is centred on children's rights, including the right to an identity, the best interests of the child and continuity of care. I could continue, but I stated my position the other day. We know from research that security of belonging and knowing is essential for a child. That is what the research shows clearly and the legislation is a first step. I would like it to go further to vindicate and uphold children's rights, but I will not contribute to extinguishing them, which is what I think would be the effect of many of the amendments proposed.