Adopted babies deserve a mother and father

From time to time, a baby has the misfortune to be permanently separated from its parents early in life and becomes the responsibility of the State.

The Government is asking us to support a marriage referendum which will make a decisive difference to the way such babies are cared for.

As things stand, the Constitution favours the State placing these babies in a family with a mother and a father.

This is the best way of trying to replicate what the baby has lost.

If the referendum is passed, whether they are denied a mother or a father will be a random chance depending on where they pop up in the adoption queue.

We must vote NO for their sake.

Breandán Ó Loingsigh

Wyattville Pk

Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin