Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I support my two colleagues and question the purpose of this section. If the birth mother must know and consent to the religion of the family to which the child is going, it could prevent many adoptions taking place.

I refer to inter-country adoptions. In some countries, the child must be technically abandoned. I am familiar with cases where children are left at dumpsters. For a mother to technically abandon her child for him or her to be put up for adoption, it would put an extra block in place if we were to bring religion into it.

I am keen to hear why religion is more important than colour and ethnicity. One would have to question whether this is helpful at this point in the adoption journey given that it is far bigger than this country. Irish families adopt 400 children from other countries annually. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's justification for this section.