asked the Minister for Justice whether he intends to amend the adoption laws to permit married persons of different religions to adopt a Catholic child.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Adopion Laws.
116.
As I indicated in Seanad Éireann on the 29th June last during the debate on the Second Reading of a Private Member's Adoption Bill, I am having a Bill prepared to amend the Adoption Acts, which will, I hope, include some provision relating to adoption by married couples of different religions. Before settling the contents of the proposed Bill, I shall be continuing discussions already begun with the Adoption Board and with representatives of the other bodies with practical experience of adoption work, namely, the adoption societies.
Can the Minister give us any approximate timetable as to when this is likely to be in draft legislation form?
At the moment discussions are going on with the board and I have an appointment to meet one of the major societies in the next week or two. I shall have to see some of the other societies after that and, after that, the drafting of the heads of the Bills will begin. I am afraid it is unlikely that the Bill will be introduced for several months at least; it will be well into the New Year.
Can the Minister indicate the nature of the difficulties which make such extensive consultation necessary on this very specific point, which should require only a very simple and straightforward amendment?
I made a very lengthy speech in the Seanad on 29th June setting out many considerations in extenso and I had lengthy memoranda from several of the societies giving their observations on what I said and pointing out what, in their opinion, were certain difficulties in relation to what I proposed. Naturally I want to do them the courtesy of discussing their difficulties and their problems with them before I introduce the Bill.
Of course.