asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to enable the guardians of adopted children to give their names to children legally adopted by them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Names of Adopted Children.
Mr. Boland
The law as it stands does not contain any provision for legal adoption, and, as I informed the Deputy in reply to a question on the 11th of October last, I see difficulties in the way of legislation which would provide for the transfer of parental rights from natural parents. I am giving further consideration to the question, however.
In the meantime, I have suggested to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health that he should consider whether it would be possible to amend the Registration of Births Acts so as to make some special provision for the registration of adopted children.
While I fully recognise the difficulties that may arise in the transfer of full legal powers of parents to persons who adopt, is there not a special case to be made in regard to children of illegitimate birth who are adopted and whose adopted parents desire to re-register them in their own names? Will the Minister give special consideration to that particular problem?
Mr. Boland
I will look into the matter.