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

Amendment No. 6 was tabled by Senators Lynn Ruane and Frances Black on Committee Stage in the Seanad. It is an amendment to section 24, which inserts a new subsection (a) into section 54(1) of the Adoption Act 2010. This provision will present challenges and we have been working with Senator Ruane on it. Following the enactment of the Bill, I will continue to work with my officials, Tusla, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the Office of the Attorney General to address these challenges. I agree with Senator Ruane that we need to make sure parents are supported. In doing this, we must also ensure there is no risk posed to the adoption when it is in the best interests of the child. I thank Senator Ruane for the considerable time and effort she put in to engaging with me and my officials on this amendment.

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