Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The relevant section deals with adoption orders. Earlier, we discussed placements. Obviously at this stage of an adoption the parents have agreed to have the child placed for adoption. I suggest, therefore, that the amendment is unnecessary. It is understood at this stage of the process that the child's best interests have been considered in the context of the natural parents. We dealt earlier with the situation in respect of placements.

Section 19 provides that in any matter, application or proceedings before the authority or any court relating to the adoption of a child, the authority or the court shall have regard to the welfare of the child as the first and paramount consideration. That would be the correct approach and it is appropriately expressed in this section.