Coughlan warns on defining family

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, warned against a definition of the family. In itself, she said, such a definition curtailed people and could be hurtful to individuals in particular circumstances.

"Regardless of the way in which families are formulated there has been a great diversity in this regard in a short period. We must consider how we can support them."

The Fine Gael spokesman on community, social and family affairs, Mr Michael Ring, said everyone knew that the family unit had always been regarded as being made up of a husband, wife and children. "That unit is under attack. We have always been told that the family is protected under the Constitution. Families' major complaint at present is that they are no longer able to live."

Ms Coughlan said there was support for families, per se, individuals, and children, who were often vulnerable and came outside the parameters of adult relationships. "Children are highly influenced by such relationships and, when difficulties occur therein, often find themselves in difficult situations."