asked the Minister for Justice whether he proposes to introduce legislation to render legal adoption possible in this country and providing for appropriate amendment of the register of births in such cases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Legal Adoption.
The question of introducing legislation to provide for the legal adoption of children has been under consideration for a long time, but, as I have mentioned on previous occasions when this matter has been raised, there are difficulties to be overcome. So far it has not been found possible to devise a scheme which would overcome these difficulties.
The question of making provision for an appropriate amendment of the register of births in cases of adoption is a matter for the Minister for Health.
If I have to get crude, I will get crude. If an illegitimate child is adopted in this country and becomes substantially the child of its adoptive parents and in the time to come applies for its birth certificate and is deemed by its neighbours to be the child of the man and woman who brought it up, why should there be any reason that it should be advertised to the world that the child was born illegitimately and was abandoned by the parents who bore it? Ad interim, will the Minister at least secure such an amendment of the regulations as will permit a child so circumstanced to get a certificate couched in the terms authorised by the married couple who have accepted responsibility for its up-bringing and care? Is not that a reasonable request—ad interim while dealing with the broader question?
Mr. Boland
It is not a matter for the Minister for Justice. The Minister for Health has to deal with the register.
Will you whisper it in his ear?