Alan Shatter
Question:95 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health whether he intends to introduce legislation to amend our adoption laws to make statutory provision to enable adopted persons to trace their origins. [12972/95]
Written Answers. - Adoption Laws.
Alan Shatter
Question:96 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health whether he intends to introduce legislation to reform and amend our adoption laws in order to ensure that they comply with the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and to implement recommendations made in 1985 by the Adoption Review Committee. [12973/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together.
It is my intention that amending legislation to give fathers of children born outside marriage a greater say in the adoption process will be brought forward as quickly as possible. The legislation will address the issues raised in the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Keegan - v - Ireland in favour of the father of a non-marital child who was adopted against his wishes.
I also intend, in accordance with a commitment contained in the Health Strategy, to provide in legislation for the establishment of arrangements to facilitate contact between adopted persons and their birth parents.
In the context of the preparation of the necessary legislation, due regard will be given to the relevant recommendations of the adoption review committee which reported to the Minister for Health in 1984.