Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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655. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs a clear timeframe for the publication and or Implementation of the following acts; Children first legislation, the Adoption Amendment Bill and the Information and Tracing Bill. [36655/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The General Scheme and Heads of Bill of the Children First Bill 2013 are to be submitted to Government shortly for approval to draft the Bill..

The General Scheme and Heads of Bill of the proposed Adoption (Amendment) Bill were published in September 2012 in conjunction with the publication of the referendum proposal to inform the public of proposed changes to adoption law if the Constitutional amendment was approved. It is my intention to bring the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013 before the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible, following conclusion of all proceedings and processes relevant to the Referendum.

Complex legal and constitutional issues have arisen during the course of preparation of the Heads of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill and these issues are currently being examined within my Department and within the Office of the Attorney General. I am not in a position to say when it is likely that the Bill will be published but my intention is to bring the Heads of Bill before Government at the earliest possible date to seek approval to draft the Bill.