Adoption information and tracing Bill
Jan O’Sullivan sought inclusion of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill within the current Adoption Bill and pressed for a timeframe. The Tánaiste said they would remain separate but that the measure was a priority after constitutional issues were addressed.
I am disappointed that there is no timeframe for the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill in the legislative programme, despite the fact that the Minister, Deputy Zappone, said she would introduce it before the end of the year. The Tánaiste will be familiar with this matter from her time as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Can the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill be incorporated into the Adoption Bill which is currently before the Oireachtas and is about to go to committee? That would be an opportunity to deal with this issue which is very important for a number of people in our society.
Comment on this
I believe the two Bills will be dealt with separately but a huge amount of work has been done. There were some serious constitutional issues to be worked through in respect of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill but I understand that it is now possible to deal with the complex issues in the Bill and I have no doubt it will be a priority this year for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Katherine Zappone.
Comment on this
Can this be kept under review? It is very important.