asked the Minister for Justice when it is the Government's intention to introduce the necessary legislation to abolish the status of illegitimacy.
69.
Written Answers. - Abolition of Illegitimacy Status.
68.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of times he has announced the abandonment of the concept of illegitimacy within the last eight months; and if he proposes to introduce legislation to deal with the matter.
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together.
On no occasion has the Minister for Justice or have I, as Minister for State at the Department of Justice, announced an intention to abolish or abandon the legal status of illegitimacy. Statements have been made to the effect that the Government propose to reform the law on illegitimacy following the publication of the Law Reform Commission's Report on the subject.
On 24 October 1983 I announced the Government's decision on the form the amending legislation will take and that it will be introduced at the earliest possible date. At this stage I cannot say precisely when that will be.
I have arranged to have copies of the statement of 24 October 1983, which gives details of the Government's decision, placed in the Library for the information of Deputies and Senators.