asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a decision on the proposals placed before him incorporating views of the Central Council of Catholic Adoption Societies in relation to improvements in adoption standards and laws.

The central council have asked for a grant to cover their administration costs and the cost of a proposed scheme to run education courses for social workers in the field of adoption. The Department sought the views of An Bord Uchtála and, as it so happens, it is only within the last week that they have been received.

Some aspects of the proposal may raise substantial issues of principle and policy which I shall need to examine and consider very carefully and I may and probably will need to have further consultations with the board. Accordingly, I cannot yet say when a decision will be reached and conveyed to the central council.

Could the Minister say now if he is concerned about anomalies in relation to adoption standards and laws and about introducing some kind of enlightened reform in this area to eradicate some of the problems, to which attention has been drawn by this and other bodies, at an early date?

Numbers of recommendations, views, comments and methods of improvement in the adoption system and adoption law have been made to me, particularly since the House got the referendum on adoption under way. They are at present being examined to see how we can improve the adoption law. I believe improvements can be made. I do not want to go beyond that.

The remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper for the next sitting day.