asked the Minister for Justice whether he will introduce legislation to reinstate the provision in the Children's Act, 1957 for inspection of illegitimate children placed without reward, which was dropped in the Adoption Act, 1964, and to extend it to adopted children.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Protection of Children.
56.
As there has been a number of Parliamentary Question of this kind recently, I think there is a danger that adopters and prospective adopters may become worried about the situation.
In order to dispel any worries such people may have, I would like to say, with all the emphasis at my command, that I would regard legislation on the lines suggested not only as being highly undesirable but as being altogether unthinkable.
Why was this provision dropped from the Adoption Act, 1964?
You were not there.
The Deputy's suggestion would destroy our adoption system and destroy the devoted charitable work of the adoption societies. The whole principle of legal adoption which is that such children should be put, in so far as the law can put them, in the same position as children born to adopters, would completely be nullified.