Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Just before the phrase "not less than 21 days" on the top of page 22, the Bill refers to "the placement specified in the notice". Therefore, there is a specification of a period, and this should be not less than 21 days. We are dealing with a situation where a father is objecting to his child being placed with an adopted parent. It is quite a significant thing, so some flexibility is required. We are saying that not less than 21 days should be specified in the notice period. In any case, the likely scenarios cover a much broader spectrum. Experience tells us that this discretionary approach is warranted. It upholds the balances in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We believe that a minimum period of not less than 21 days is the correct period because it is an issue of such obvious importance. Once the father applies for guardianship, the child cannot be placed until those proceedings are determined, so there is a further period. I would not be inclined to accept these amendments.