David Norris (Independent)

I move amendment No. 13:

In page 22, line 2, to delete "not being less than" and substitute "of".

I wish to ask the Minister of State about the reference to the Hague Convention in Part 2. The placing of the explanatory report in the Oireachtas Library is completely superfluous. It does not mean anything. Perhaps I will speak to the Minister of State about that in private. I presume I could have had an opportunity to talk about it on the section.

The amendment seeks to impose a limitation. The idea of undue delay and accelerating the process arises again. Amendment No. 14 specifies "not more than 35 days". Again, as I understand it, that is to try to limit the delay. Section 17(3)(b)(i) states: "[N]otify the father and the mother in writing in the prescribed manner that the accredited body is deferring the placement for a period specified in the notice, not being less than 21 days". My intention is to remove the phrase "not being less than" and to make the period specific at 21 days. The aim is to ensure that rather than being a minimum period, it is the exact period. Again, I do this on the advice of one of the lobbying groups.