Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I endorse Senator van Turnhout's comments. The scientific research on all family types done in this regard shows that, by a significant degree, the highest at-risk situation for children is where a single mother cohabits. In such situations, the child is substantially at risk of sexual exploitation and physical and fatal injury. It would be essential not to permit a lacuna in the law regarding such situations, as that would be to exclude the most at-risk situation.