Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

As already stated, I hope and expect to be in a position to submit the outcome of that work to the Government for its approval in the autumn. The Deputy will be aware that there will be some further work to be done at that point. Draft legislation will be required in respect of adoption proposals - this will have to be brought through the Dáil - and a referendum commission will have to be established.

It is not possible for me to outline precisely how long the work relating to these various matters will take. However, I hope to have the wording in the autumn and it will then be the responsibility of the Oireachtas to pass the relevant legislation. I will deal with this matter as speedily as possible. If the wording is available in the autumn, we will then move forward with the legislation on the adoption proposals.

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