Vol. 443 No. 3
75 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to review the law in relation to the rights of natural fathers, particularly in so far as our adoption laws are concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Responsibility for the law in relation to the rights of fathers generally, including guardianship rights, rests with my colleague, the Minister for Equality and Law Reform.
As regards adoption, the European Court of Human Rights earlier today delivered its judgement in a case brought against the State by the father of a child born outside marriage who was adopted against his wishes. The Deputy will appreciate that, pending a detailed examination of that judgement, I am not in a position to indicate what changes may need to be made to give fathers of non-marital children a greater say in the adoption process.
