Results 19,381-19,400 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I second the amendment. This is the first time in our debate on the Bill that we have raised the issue of accredited agencies. I have tabled a number of amendments which allow accredited agencies as well as the HSE to take action under the Bill. When I raised this issue during our last debate on the Bill, I understood from the Minister of State's response that he was against the idea of an...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I think it was a comment about the legality of it.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I second the amendment. Are the amendments being taken separately in terms of proposing and seconding them?

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I do not agree with all the amendments in the group. Amendment No. 9 relates to the conditions for adoption, many of which are included in the Bill at a later stage. We support the suggestion but the right of the father to be consulted is dealt with later in the Bill. Perhaps Senator Prendergast or Senator Norris will clarify amendment No. 15 as it appears to limit the rights of fathers to...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: No, I have a separate amendment.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: We suggest in this amendment that the timeframe of 35 days would be more realistic. A period of 21 days is too short. For example, a person might change address or a letter could be lost owing to postal difficulties. A change to 35 days would give the father sufficient time for reflection. That is a slightly different point from that made by Senator Norris whose amendment refers to three...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 17: In page 23, line 9, to delete "refuses to" and substitute "does not". This amendment arose at an earlier stage. We had some discussion about it when Senator Bacik tabled it. I certainly felt that it was worth discussing with the Minister of State on Report Stage. Amendment No. 17 is a technical amendment about the mother co-operating with the father's identity in...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: We have had a good discussion on this issue on Committee Stage and in this House. I agree with the Minister of State on the right of the child to know and have access to his or her father. That is absolutely critical. Some countries have mandatory obligations in this regard. It is an issue which should be examined in context. The reason behind these technical amendments is the punitive...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I second the amendment.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: Why has the amendment been ruled out of order?

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I second the amendment.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 31: In page 28, line 11, before "it" to insert "the father has committed an offence such that".

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 32: In page 28, line 16, to delete "refuses" and substitute "does not".

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 35: In page 28, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: 31.---(1) In this section, "a contact order" means an order requiring the person with whom a child lives, or is to live, to allow the child to visit or stay with the person named in the order, or for that person and the child otherwise to have contact with each other. (2) Where the father is consulted under...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 36: In page 29, to delete lines 22 to 31. I wish to hear what the Minister of State has to say in this regard. Members had a discussion on this issue on Committee Stage.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I second the amendment.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I second the amendment. I would like the Minister of State to comment on this issue. What are his plans for accredited agencies?

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

Frances Fitzgerald: But the Minister of State did not say what he would do.

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

Frances Fitzgerald: I second the amendment. I have listened carefully to what the Minister of State said about accepting an accredited body. It seems he is in favour of it in general but not specifically and that he is having discussions in late summer but is not in a position to make it a priority at the moment. If he does establish it, he believes it should not be for profit. I agree because that would be...