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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Apr 1981

Vol. 328 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Illegitimacy Status.

12.

asked the Minister for Justice whether it is proposed to introduce legislation to remove the status of illegitimacy from Irish law; whether there are proposals for legislation in relation to changes in the laws of evidence on questions relating to paternity; and if he will make a statement on these matters.

The law as to illegitimacy is one of the matters being considered by the Law Reform Commission and I think it may be assumed that the commission's examination of the matter will extend to the question of the law bearing on evidence of paternity. I have on more than one occasion previously expressed the opinion that it would be desirable that the Government and Parliament should have the benefit of a report from the commission before contemplating any changes in this important area.

Two brief questions — does the Minister recall a reference when he was Opposition spokesman for Justice where he undertook at the first opportunity to introduce legislation along these lines? Secondly, does he have any comment to make on whether or not the task force report which bears on this piece of proposed legislation is fundamentally divided on this and a number of other issues which appeared in today's papers and when may we expect that report which presumably will also help the Minister to make up his mind?

Regarding the more serious part of the question, the task force has reported to the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, not to the Minister for Justice.

Does the Minister consider that the undertakings he gave while in Opposition are now to be totally disregarded by the Opposition?

If the Deputy would like to put down a question on that specific comment of mine, I will deal with it at the appropriate time.

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