David Norris (Independent)

I move amendment No. 33:

In page 28, to delete lines 26 to 28 and substitute the following:

"After counselling the mother the Authority may make the adoption order without consulting the father if---".

This is similar to the other amendments and deals with, in a sense, the excision of the father from the deciding process. For that reason I am slightly half-hearted about it. However, I tabled the amendment on advice from some groups with the intention of ascertaining the response of the Minister of State. As I said on a previous amendment there may be extreme circumstances in which this could be appropriate - I can just about imagine them. However, I would initially like to hear the response of the Minister of State.