Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

The provision of post-placement support, advice and counselling to birth and adoptive parents would be a worthwhile and important addition to the Bill. It should be a matter of normal and regular practice in this area. If it were in place, we would not likely have had the recent hiccup with the Russian adoption process.

There are two sides to the story of adoption. A birth parent gives up much when handing over their child for adoption. The least they deserve, and to reinforce that the decision they made was a good one, is to know how their child is progressing in the form of a note or a photograph. It would also be useful if the Health Service Executive or the assessment agency involved gave its professional view on how the adopted child was doing.

Post-placement support is also important for the adoptive parent because they will have moved to a new stage in rearing the child. This would provide a useful link between the birth parents and the adoptive parents. Post-placement support closes off the circle. If we were bound by law to provide that support, we would not find ourselves in the crisis we have with Russia. I support the measure and look forward to the Minister's support for it.