Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 30:

In page 24, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following:

"(4) On the application of the spouse of a biological parent desiring to adopt a child to acquire the same rights and responsibilities with regard to the child as the biological parent.

(a) The adoption order shall confer the same rights and responsibilities on the spouse as vest in the biological parent.

(b) Shall not affect the rights and responsibilities of the biological parent.

(c) Where the biological parent with whom the child does not permanently reside continues to have regular contact with the child, the Authority may make an order conferring guardianship rights and responsibilities on the applicant to so act jointly with the child's existing guardian or guardians instead of making an adoption order.".

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