Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 133:

In page 59, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “(3) In determining, under subsection (1)(a)(v), what is in the best interests of the child, the court shall have regard to all the circumstances that it considers relevant to the child who is the subject of the section 62 application concerned, including—

(a) the child’s age and maturity,

(b) the physical, psychological and emotional needs of the child,

(c) the likely effect of the granting of the parental order on the child,

(d) the child’s social, intellectual and educational needs,

(e) the child’s upbringing and care,

(f) the child’s relationship with his or her intending parents (or, in the case of a single intending parent, that intending parent), and

(g) any other particular circumstances pertaining to the child.

(4) The court shall, in relation to its consideration of a section 62 application and in so far as is practicable, in respect of any child who is capable of forming his or her own views, ascertain those views and give them due weight having regard to the age and maturity of the child.”.