Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It depends on the status of their parents and on whether their parents are undocumented. There is a concern. There has been an identified risk of statelessness which needs to be addressed and which this legislation would help. I agree with my colleague on one issue. Discretion is good; I do not have a problem with discretion. There is a role for it in humanitarian leave to remain. It is important that it be exercised but it is not adequate for these purposes and it places an unfair burden on the child. The Bill deals with children who are aged four or five. They will not be in a position to engage in campaigns and so on. I would like this to apply from birth but it is reasonable to apply from the age of three when children enter preschool or childcare facilities with other children. The campaigns have demonstrated that when children are insecure in their status in a school, it is bad for all the children in that school. An atmosphere of inequality is created and children respond on a core level to the inequality.