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

I reiterate that this is an issue that I am actively examining and regularly reviewing. I would like to see it reduced to the shortest possible time but still remain safe from a legal point of view. I am not implying that the Attorney General, in this particular instance, has given advice regarding the year's duration. However, we have legal advice to that effect at the moment and we will seek to get hardened advice that will allow us to reduce it as much as possible.

I wish to take the opportunity to thank all those in the adoption community, adoptees and birth mothers and all who have taken the time to speak to us. I also thank all of those who made contributions during the pre-legislative scrutiny process at the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children. I thank everyone for their forbearance and reassure them that we are seeking to address this issue to their satisfaction.

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