Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 6, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following:

"(12) In this section, "missing", in respect of a parent, means a parent who has had no contact whatsoever with either the child or the Health Service Executive for a continuous period of at least 1 year.".

This amendment seeks to clarify what "missing" means. That provision of the Bill should be tightened. Does missing mean they did not reply to a text message, answer the door or reply to a letter? In respect of a parent it should mean the parent had no contact with either the child or the Health Service Executive for a continuous period of at least one year.