Rights of gay adult are being put before child’s

The child is the most vulnerable of citizens. Adults have a responsibility to raise them with due care and attention to their needs. Our rights as adults must be secondary to children’s.

The Children and Family Relationships Bill has many good sections, which I welcome.

I am concerned, however, by the proposal to give the right to adopt children to same-sex couples. I, along with the majority of my family and friends, believe this legislation gives primacy to the adult, the same-sex couple, at the expense of the right of a child to have both a mother and a father.

Identity is a basic need, as we have learned from our recent history. Those adopted in Ireland in the past speak of their hurt regarding identity. This bill will diminish the right of a child to know the identity of their mother and father, and favours the right of the gay adult, instead.

Elle Maher

South Circular Road

Dolphins Barn

Dublin 8