Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 5

Written Answers. - Rights of Unmarried Fathers.

Helen Keogh

Ceist:

21 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health the implications, if any, for the adoption service in view of the result of the European Court of Human Rights in the Keegan case which recognised the rights of unmarried fathers in adoption matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9467/95]

Liz O'Donnell

Ceist:

65 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the implications for the adoption service in view of the result of the European Court of Human Rights in the Keegan case which recognised the rights of unmarried fathers in adoption matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7522/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 65 together.

The detailed examination by my Department, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, of the implications of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Keeganv. Ireland has now been completed. An appropriate legislative response to the issues raised in the judgment is currently being developed. It is my firm intention that the necessary amending adoption legislation will be introduced at the earliest possible date.

In the meantime, I might mention that in the light of advice obtained from the Office of the Attorney General, the Adoption Board recently issued further guidance to the adoption agencies in relation to the involvement of fathers of non-marital children in the adoption process. This guidance is helping to eliminate the delays that arose in the processing of a number of adoption cases since the European Court delivered its judgment.

I might also mention that a number of important developments have taken place in our adoption practice since the Keegan case was disposed of by the High Court in 1990. Procedures initiated by the Adoption Board on an administrative basis have helped to promote greater understanding and awareness among adoption agencies of the position of the natural father in the adoption process. While these measures could not have been taken into account by the European Court, they are acknowledged in its judgment.

The extent to which these procedures need to be extended is being actively considered in the context of the development of an appropriate legislative response to the judgment of the European Court.