Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Adoption is a means of alternative care for a child where his or her family is unable to provide such care. There are no proposals to extend adoption to persons other than children, that is, to persons over 18 years of age. Such a policy change would require careful consideration, legal advice and Government approval. The primary purpose of the Adoption (Amendment) Bill is to give effect to Article 42A of the Constitution in so far as it relates to adoption and the Bill provides for the adoption of any child, regardless of the marital status of his or her parents and that in any matter, application or proceedings under the Adoption Act 2010, before the Adoption Authority or any court, the court or the authority as the case may be, shall regard the best interests of the child as the paramount consideration in the resolution of such matter, and in respect of any child who is capable of forming his or her own views, ascertain the child’s views and such views shall be given due weight having regard to the age and the maturity of the child. Adoption is a child protection intervention. The focus of it is to protect a child by providing a secure and stable environment and to provide for the child’s safety and well-being during childhood. A child, for the purpose of adoption, is a person under the age of 18 years of age so I do not intend to accept the amendment.