Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Section 28 indicates that the mother should understand the nature and effect of the consent and of the adoption order. My amendment would strengthen that in section 14. It is an elaboration of the issue and a safeguard, given what we have seen in the past. People have found themselves in positions where they have clearly stated they did not understand the consequences of the various legal aspects of adoption or the decisions being made. This is an attempt to safeguard that and I am disappointed the Minister is not inserting it in this section at this time.