Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, and the officials from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The primary purpose of the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016 is to give legislative effect to the Thirty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Act 2012. The important Bill before the committee makes further provision for the protection of children's rights and enhances the State's responsibility to take child protection measures. Among other provisions, it allows married parents to place a child for adoption where both parents consent, amends the criteria under which the High Court can make an adoption order in the case of parental failure and brings forward the right of civil partners and cohabiting couples to adopt.

Before we commence, I would like to draw the attention of members to some typographical errors on the numbered list of amendments. The section heading on page 2 should read "section 12". The section heading on page 3 should read "section 13". The section heading on page 4 should read "section 26". The section heading on page 5 should read "section 36". The section heading on page 6 should read "section 41". For the assistance of the committee, a corrected reprint of the amendment list has been circulated to members. It is my intention for the committee to conclude its consideration of the Bill on Committee Stage this morning. Is that agreed? Agreed. I refer members to the grouping of amendments for the purposes of debate.