My limited understanding is that applying to adopt is a long-shot given the numbers of children in care who are available who are eligible for adoption. Numbers available are part of the ‘technical’ problem to becoming a parent.

Secondly, the status of the child is an issue if a parent exist elsewhere. It should be possible to adopt the child of one’s same-sex partner, but if there is a bio-parent from a prior relationship (usually a father) it is then not possible to have three parents.

Thirdly, there is a heterosexual bias. I know someone, in a same-sex relationship, who was trying to get a foster child and was subjected to an inordinate about of ‘assessment’ (more than heterosexual couples who were being inducted with them), and he felt there was also an ingrained bias about placing a child with a gay couple.

Fourthly, it comes down to money – perhaps more so if your the non-child bearing type. Personally, I favour going for surrogacy, and there are options available (if ya have about €40K available) and there are interesting overseas agencies I have briefly looked into, such as iwannagetpregnant.com in India. I confess I also mooch in mommas & poppas… there, I said it… money is too tight to mention at present to make anything happen for a while. But my basic point is, there needs to be a breakthrough about recognising families (plural) and the CP Bill could usefully – at least- open the door on that if not much more.

Support for this would at least establish that childrens best interest would not be overriden by things such as the fact that their parents were married or not. Right now a child who is the product of a hetero marriage cannot be considered for adoption, this amendment will end this. I think the outcome of a succesful referendum there will permit more gay-parenting-friendly legislation to be introduced and not open to challenge in the future. Adoption and guardianship rights based on the best interests of the child would ultimately work in our favour rather than against us. The situation right now, lets not forget, is that even though technically single people can adopt, they must have a strong legal connection already to the child, which in real terms means that they are a blood relation. Most single people effectively cannot adopt outside these very limited circumstances which is effectively the same as for gay couples or unmarried couples. I think we need to work together with lone parenting lobbyists and lobbyists working for unmarried parents on this to get an outcome that is fair for all and takes childrens rights on board.

Notable also, is that the government committed under the Good Friday agreement to ensure equity of rights ‘across the island of Ireland’. There are clear disparities between the legislation that has been enacted in Northern Ireland and that proposed in this Bill – an issue that was not addressed in this debate.

On one level the comments across parties this evening were surprisingly supportive of the idea of equality, non-discrimination etc.- the Republic was invoked a lot. However, the notion that full recognition (marriage or whatever you want to call it) would be a step too far for the public is not one that holds up to much scrutiny. In fact, one could argue that the absence of public representatives in the chamber today means that the ‘public’ are actually perceived not to be too bothered on the issue – begging the question, why enact legislation that is a yellow-pack version of the North’s?

Me loves soap operas that come with Dail debates: can’t wait for where we’re compared to farm animals or such by some gombeen politico in an ill-fitting toupee? I’m expecting that, will be very miffed if we aren’t properly insulted, it’s de rigeur! Will be watching online, wearing my Jay Brannan ‘I wanna be a housewife’t-shirt.

Unfortunately I’ll be in Brussels, missing the whole thing…