asked the Minister for Justice if it is his intention to introduce legislation to abolish the legal status of illegitimacy; and, if so, when.
317.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Report on Illegitimacy.
316.
asked the Minister for Justice if he intends to amend the law relating to illegitimacy in view of the recent report of the Law Reform Commission; the aspects of their recommendations he is likely to adopt; whether all parts of their report are in accordance with the present policy of the Government; and the likely time scale for amending the law should it be proposed to do so.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 317 together.
The Law Reform Commission's report on illegitimacy, in which the central recommendation in that the concept of illegitimacy should be removed from the law, was published only very recently — on 15 October last. The report contains in all 68 separate recommendations, many of which are of a fundamental and far-reaching nature. The report is being examined in my Department as well as in some other Departments with an interest in some of the recommendations. This examination is proceeding with all possible speed and the decisions of the Government will be announced as soon as possible. I cannot at this stage anticipate what these decisions will be.
I think it right to mention that the report, as the Commission themselves point out, contains radical proposals and that some of them seem likely to prove to be controversial when people have had time to assess their implications and I would like to encourage all interested persons and organisations to study the report carefully and to make their views on it known.
For my own part, I have already indicated more than once that I am sympathetic to the same basic objectives as those underlying the report but, at the same time, it is necessary to stress that the report itself emphasises that complex and far-reaching issues are involved. On the other hand, I am also anxious to ensure that the whole matter is dealt with as quickly as possible and for that reason I would ask that people who have comments to make should send them to me without delay.