Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I think it would be better to take it as read. I do not wish to delay proceedings and I am anxious to hear the contributions of Members sooner rather than later.

I will refer briefly to other important developments taking place in regard to adoption. My colleague, Deputy Brian Lenihan, the Minister of State with special responsibility for children, initiated a consultation process last year on adoption legislation. It is his intention to undertake a complete review of adoption legislation with the aim of making it more compatible with life in the 21st century by ensuring that it takes account of the changes in society as well as changing trends and practices in adoption that have taken place since the 1952 Adoption Act. The consultation process was a broad ranging one examining a number of issues, including a draft Bill to provide for ratification of the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption and to make changes to the role and structure of the Adoption Board. A second draft Bill to provide for a structured and regulated way of providing access to information and contact for those affected by adoption was also considered during the consultation process. The Hague Convention on inter-country adoption needs to be ratified as a matter of priority to provide safeguards for children involved in inter-country adoption by regulating the processes by which children are adopted into this country.

Nearly 300 submissions were received from a wide range of people and organisations, including adopted people, adopting parents and natural parents. The written consultation was followed by a conference last October at which these issues were discussed in detail. The process provided many valuable insights into sensitive issues needing to be addressed, either on a legislative or administrative basis. The views garnered through both processes are currently being examined by the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, in the context of preparing proposals for changes to adoption legislation. I understand he hopes to submit his proposals to Government before the summer. I look forward with interest to further developments in that regard.

The Adoptive Leave Bill before the House is part of a suite of statutory work-life balance measures to which my Department is committed under the Sustaining Progress partnership agreement. The Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003, which is currently progressing through the Dáil, implements in full the recommendations of the working group on the review and improvement of the maternity protection legislation. Once enacted, its provisions will strengthen and improve the employment rights of pregnant mothers and women who have recently given birth and those who wish to resume work while breastfeeding. The Parental Leave Act 1998 is also due for amendment in line with the agreed recommendations of a working group which reviewed that Act. Work is currently under way in my Department on the necessary heads of a Bill and I expect that concrete legislative proposals will shortly be brought to Government.

I look forward to the contributions of Senators to the debate on the Adoptive Leave Bill. The Bill represents a balanced and progressive response to the needs of employed adopting parents. It builds on progress already made in regard to employment equality legislation and marks another important step towards fulfilling the Government's commitments in Sustaining Progress. I commend the Bill to the House.