James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach has made it very clear that the Government will go to the end of its term, but the Deputy may have other ideas and is entitled to entertain them.

On this issue and given the timing, with no disrespect to the Deputy who is engaged in this area, I feel a certain deference to the three Senators to debate the issue in the Seanad rather than pre-empt the outcome here. Time does not allow us to go through the Bill and the issues therein that must be addressed, but I thank the Senators for the work they have done. It is my intention to have the general scheme and heads of the Bill finalised as soon as possible and submitted for consideration by the Government in advance of referral to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children. This will be the subject of consultation with all relevant Departments in advance. I have met several groups in this regard. In parallel, I have requested officials to commence an examination of operational arrangements for the preservation of, and access to, adoption records both to secure existing service provision and to make ready for any proposed new legislation. I am conscious that the draft Bill seeks to legislate for some of the matters that I am proposing to address in the general scheme and heads of the adoption (information and tracing) Bill. I have given the matter careful consideration and look forward to a constructive debate on this important issue in the Seanad this evening.

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