asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the report of the widely represebtative working party of the Irish Theological Association which contained a proposal that section 12 of the Adoption Act, 1952, should be removed or amended to allow the partners in mixed marriages to adopt children legally; and if he intends to take any action in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Adoption Act.
94.
The repeal of section 12 of the 1952 Act is one of the changes in adoption law proposed in a Private Member's Bill which is at present awaiting a Second Reading in Seanad Éireann and which, according to the Official Report of the Seanad for 24th May, is to be taken by that House in the last week of June. I consider that it would be inappropriate for me to anticipate the Seanad discussion of the proposal by making any comment on the subject at this stage.
Has the Minister changed his view from that which he expressed in reply to a question which he gave to me soem time ago that he considers the present laws unsatisfactory?
I am not certain that I gave a reply in those precise terms. What I indicated previously, and it is still my feeling, is that the present laws are not at all as unsatisfactory as they are alleged by some people to be.
Would the Minister be in favour of a change?
The Government will decide on whether a change will take place.
What advice would the Minister give the Government?
That is a matter for the Government and me.