Senator Rónán Mullen Voices Important Ethical Concerns at Annual Conference

News Release 9th February, 2009

Speaking at the annual John Paul II conference being held at Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, Senator Rónán Mullen said that Irish society is facing into two important ethical issues over the coming weeks.

Referring to the proposed Civil Partnership Bill, Senator Mullen described it as containing a triple injustice. “Neither care-givers not siblings will receive protection from this Bill, simply because theirs is a strictly Platonic relationship” stated Senator Mullen. He went on to say, “This Bill downgrades the special status of marriage by offering its benefits to other forms of relationships. This means that same-sex couples receive the same reward as the average married couple with children, even though the only reason for the reward in the first place is to aid the upbringing of children.”

Senator Mullen added that the Bill is an injustice to the welfare of children, “We must remember that the fact that everyone is equal does not mean that all forms of relationship are either equal or identical. Studies consistently show that a traditional marriage is the best environment in which to raise a child. This brings me to the third injustice: child welfare. The resources spent on implementing the Civil Partnership Bill would be better spent on aiding existing families. It is the traditional family unit which is the future of our society. In the eyes of many lobbyists this Bill is merely a stepping stone to same-sex adoption and same-sex marriage—to a time when children will lose their right to a mother and father.”

Before finishing his keynote address Senator Mullen mentioned another crucial ethical issue of immediate relevance to society, the R v. R Supreme court challenge. “The R V. R Supreme Court challenge will most likely fail to vindicate the right to life of human beings at their earliest stages of existence. Furthermore, it will most likely fail to affirm a coherent understanding of human rights. This will also impact upon the issue of embryo stem cell research.” Senator Mullen ended by asking how can society claim to respect human rights when it fails to acknowledge the right to life of all human beings, including the youngest.