Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I have a few comments to make. The amendment does not relate to children. I accept all the points made about the best interests of the child and his or her protection and that is the primary purpose of adoption.

To offer an analogy, this is similar to the importance of considering the welfare of the child after he or she ceases to be a child such as, for example, the importance of an aftercare plan for a child that is in care. The concern does not relate to child welfare or safety. That is a paramount consideration but it does not mean property rights or entitlements they might enjoy otherwise, on reaching the age of 18, should be set aside. There is clear potential for that to happen. The Bill’s provisions set out the timeframe involved. I agree that adoption should not be a simple or quick process but it is entirely possible - I am sure it does happen - that it can be delayed until after the child reaches the age of 18. In that context there are rights and entitlements to which that adult would otherwise have benefitted if the adoption had been processed and I do not think they should be set aside. That would potentially make a significant difference to their lives in terms of inheritance, social protection payments, grants and other issues and the situation also has implications for the parents. While I accept the points the Minister made about the purpose of adoption generally the amendment relates to adoption in terms of a person’s rights after they have ceased to be a child and it is important that the issue is addressed.