International Protection Bill 2026: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-19
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Laura Harmon (LAB), Industrial and Commercial Panel

I want to concur with Senator Stephenson's remarks. I respectfully disagree with the Minister's comments that amendment No. 21 would be limiting. It specifically states "the following factors shall be taken into account". It does not say "the following factors only". The factors listed are very relevant. They include: the views of the child, having regard to the child's age and maturity; the child's identity, including their age, gender, sexual orientation, nationality and religion; safety, welfare and development needs; preservation of family relationships; any particular vulnerability of the child; and any other particular circumstances pertaining to the child concerned. These are very much basic things that should be considered and it is worth setting those out within the legislation. They are certainly not limiting.
To say "best interests of the child" in terms of who is interpreting that, that is a very vague statement. There have to be guidelines in relation to this. Setting these particular ones out within the legislation would be very useful and clear. We have a duty of care to children in relation to their diversity, the different backgrounds they are coming from, the different family situations and the different vulnerabilities. It is important that we would include this amendment.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:45+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-19