Robert Troy
Question:814. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he will bring forward the new adoption legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32652/14]
View answerThursday, 17 July 2014
Questions (814, 815)
Robert Troy
Question:815. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he will publish the Information and Tracing Bill. [32653/14]
View answerWritten answers
It is intended to proceed to finalise legislative proposals so that I may bring a general scheme and Heads of Bill on adoption information and tracing to the Government as soon as possible with a view to early publication. Subsequent consideration by the Oireachtas Health and Children Committee will allow the issues to be carefully teased out and the views of different interested parties on these important and sensitive matters to be fully considered. I look forward to advancing these important matters in association with the Oireachtas Health and Children Committee later this year.
As well as the information and tracing legislation, I am conscious that issues have arisen in relation to the operation of the Adoption Act, 2010, since its enactment. There are a number of general policy questions around the nature of our adoption regime and I consider it timely to consider a review of adoption. Given the range and complexity of the issues this requires scoping and preliminary examination after which decisions will be made on the extent and time scale for the review to see if proposals for legislative change emerge from this review or the nature of such proposals. Based upon the many domestic and international legal aspects to adoption the issue of further legislative development will certainly be considered. This review will inform future operational and legislative considerations regarding the Adoption Act, 2010.
For the present, my legislative priority in the area of adoption is the preparation of information and tracing legislation. In addition, my Department is also working closely with the Department of Justice and Equality on the Children and Family Relationships Bill, which it is proposed will contain measures in relation to guardianship and adoption by civil partners.