I am aware that the provisions of the Punishment of Incest Act, 1908, do not apply in the case of members of adoptive families.
The Deputy will recall that this is an issue that was discussed in this House during the debate on the Criminal Law (Incest Proceedings) Bill enacted earlier this year. On Committee Stage of the Bill, the Minister of State at my Department pointed out legal problems that could arise in that context. He also indicated that he would ask me to address the subject in a discussion paper I had promised to circulate on certain aspects of the law relating to sexual offences.
Work on the preparation of the discussion paper is proceeding and I can assure the Deputy that the matter she has raised will be taken into account in that paper.