Results 6,181-6,200 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I largely support the arguments made by Senator Bacik and Senator Fitzgerald. They have done us a service by tabling these amendments. One would want to avoid any element of coercion of the mother, and that is the one thing that concerns me. By using words like "persuading" and so on, it feels as if moral pressure is being put on mothers. It is sometimes possible that there could be a...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 33: In page 28, to delete lines 26 to 28 and substitute the following: "After counselling the mother the Authority may make the adoption order without consulting the father if---". This is similar to the other amendments and deals with, in a sense, the excision of the father from the deciding process. For that reason I am slightly half-hearted about it. However, I...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 38: In page 29, between lines 38 and 39, to insert the following: "(b) The applicants are a couple of the same sex over 21 years of age who can demonstrate that they have been living together within the jurisdiction for not less than two years and who have demonstrated to the appropriate authorities under this legislation that they are fit persons to adopt.". The...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: To flesh out matters slightly, I referred to this kind of amendment when I discussed the amendment tabled by my colleague, Senator Bacik. It is carefully drafted and I assume that at some stage this is the kind of measure that will be introduced. In the first instance, the amendment ensures the involvement of a stable couple, whose members have been involved in a long-term relationship. In...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 42: In page 31, to delete lines 30 and 31 and substitute the following: "The Health Service Executive, and an accredited body which places a child for adoption, shall establish one or more adoption committees.". This involves the deletion of the opening sentence of section 36, "The Health Service Executive shall establish one or more adoption committees." and its...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: There seems to be some degree of movement on the part of the Minister of State because he accepts there can be a role for an accredited body in support of the HSE. I accept the Minister of State is correct in stating there is a statutory supervisory role for the HSE but he also indicated we could not have a position where the language would state "the Health Service Executive or an...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I beg the Minister of State's pardon.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 48: In page 32, to delete lines 21 to 27. This amendment relates to section 37 and the deletion of paragraphs (b) and (c). Concerns have been expressed to the effect that applicants could apply to adopt children through different agencies at the same time - in other words, multiple adoptions could take place and these would be difficult to assess and control - or that...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: Subsection (2)(b) states that an application shall be made "in conjunction with a separate application under this Act by the applicants for an adoption order or the recognition of an intercountry adoption". This seems to imply that two adoptions could be contemplated.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: That is fine. I accept what the Minister of State has said.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 49: In page 32, to delete lines 28 to 32 and substitute the following: "As soon as practicable after the Health Service Executive or an accredited body receives an application under subsection (1), the Health Service Executive or the accredited body may take the following steps concerning the adoption proposed under the separate application referred to in subsection...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: -----and should have regard to the welfare of the child as the first and paramount consideration. I intend to press it, but only to a voice vote.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 56: In page 36, to delete lines 21 to 23 and substitute the following: "(2) The Authority may attach, to the interim order, conditions in regard to the maintenance, education and welfare of the child and in regard to access arrangements in respect of maintaining meaningful contacts for the child.". This amendment involves a slight difference in language from the form...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I thank the Minister of State and I accept his assurance that he accepts the principle behind the amendment and will reconsider the matter in conjunction with the Adoption Board.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 59: In page 37, line 29, after "affidavit" to insert "or both". This amendment concerns the Adoption Authority taking evidence orally or on affidavit. It has been suggested to me that it would be an improvement if it were allowed to be taken in both forms and would provide an additional safeguard.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I accept the Minister of State's assurances. However, if the term "or both" were inserted, it would imply to the average reader that it is an option. For example, if one offered a child an apple or a banana, it is only the naughtiest of children who would say, "Yes, thank you. I will have an apple and a banana." I hope the Minister of State is correct in this.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 60: In page 37, after line 42, to insert the following: "(d) an employee of the Health Service Executive or accredited body.". Regarding those allowed to request a court case to be taken concerning the welfare of a child, in addition to various categories of person, including an applicant for an adoption order, the mother or guardian of the child, or any person having...