Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the rationale for the Deputy's arguments. It is not that the number is small; it is zero. I understand it is part of his argument that this may not be the case in the future. I have agreed with him that because it is such a serious matter that it requires the time. If people wait until, say, the final five days before their 18th birthday, that would raise a question in respect of the overall rationale in that regard. While I would not necessarily be respectful of that, it could raise a question. On the basis of the Deputy's arguments and recommendations, I would be happy to instruct the Adoption Authority of Ireland, in preparing its business plan, to ensure anyone who applies before he or she turns 18 has his or her assessment completed. It is helpful for the Deputy to raise the wider question within my Department about the deeper policy issue. The discussion has begun and I promise that we will continue with that.

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