Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is very much to be welcomed that we are here to debate this important legislation. In bringing forward this amending Bill the Minister and the Government are acting in a humane and compassionate manner. The legislation will not dilute or relax rules for intercountry adoptions. As the Minister has indicated, the adoption must always be in the best interests of the child, the paramount consideration and concern. The Bill addresses a particular issue that has arisen because of changes made by the Russian authorities earlier in the year.

The only difficulty I have is the length of time it took to get us where we are. This is an extremely short and a technical Bill, but the approximately 23 families affected had to endure four to six months of unnecessary worry and anxiety as they wondered when and if this necessary amendment would be brought before the House. They had to engage in a high-level lobbying campaign which culminated in a particular family giving up its privacy by going on "Prime Time" and doing interviews with many media outlets, including the Sunday Independent. They did this to try to ensure pressure could be brought to bear and this amending legislation would be brought before the House. I take the opportunity to praise, in particular, the Fennessy family which led the charge. I know many other families were particularly grateful for the proactive role played by the people concerned. I wonder why this could not have happened many months ago as it would have removed much unnecessary worry and anxiety for the families affected.

The Minister has outlined the background to the need for this legislation - the Russian authorities changed the criteria. In June this year the Minister indicated an intention to broaden legislation on adoption as she believed it was quite conservative in nature. I would have thought, having had additional time to bring forward this legislation, she would have used the opportunity to outline her intentions in this regard. I reiterate my opinion expressed at the time - I am opposed to the relaxing of standards. When the 2010 Act was framed, the intention was to achieve acceptable international standards under the Hague Convention. We are all aware that in previous decades nothing was done and adoptions were unregulated. That led to abuse on a large scale and resulted in a need for adoption and tracing legislation. I know the Minister is working on this issue, but it is critical that the adoption and tracing legislation be brought before the House. That would afford adopted citizens a basic right - to know their identity. That legislation should be prioritised early in the new year.

I welcome this legislation, for which we called and which we are happy to support, although it has taken too long to bring it here. It is a good news story and I know many families will now have a much more enjoyable Christmas knowing this legislation has passed through the House. The level of anxiety they have had endure for a number of months has been lessened.

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