Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The danger with a timeframe is that it might draw child welfare services away to service adoption towards the end of any proposed timeframe that might be set out in legislation. The dangers of that are self-evident. I would be very concerned about that. Again we need to frame the debate in the context of the country's financial situation, which is parlous as the Senator is fully aware. Therefore I would be very reluctant to put in legislation what we can do. However, there are two avenues. The Senator wants to apply the pressure to ensure the issue is not simply passed over. Two processes are ongoing. First, I am discussing with the IAA what type of provision it might be able to suggest. Second, the HSE is continuing to try to standardise processes across the country in order to make it efficient, clear and consistent, which would mean that prospective adoptive parents at least know what they are letting themselves in for and what to expect. As the Senator and others have said already it is tortuous having to wait unnecessarily. I would be extremely reluctant to insert any timeframe for that.