Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was not happy with the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. There are certain aspects of it with regard to children which still concern me. It may not be part of this Bill, the Acting Chairman may rule me out of order and it may be beyond the Minister’s remit, but the constitutional position regarding the best interests of children should be paramount. In that regard, I want to put on record that I will oppose surrogacy when it comes before us - if I am still here.

I am also very concerned about what I am hearing both from groups in the gay movement and the INTO regarding teaching children of four and five years old about sex and matters pertaining to sex. Depriving children of their innocence is appalling. I am really concerned about this area. I do not know if the Minister is in a position to give me or the House any assurance that any attempts by any of those groups to do that will be accommodated. If it is, it will be for those in this House to oppose it but also for parents at large to get together to ensure that does not happen.