Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Section 30 provides that the authority shall take such steps as are reasonably practicable to ensure the father of the child is consulted on the adoption order. The section provides that the authority must obtain the approval of the High Court before dispensing with the requirement to consult the father before the adoption order is made. The requirement to obtain High Court approval before dispensing with the father's right to be consulted is in recognition of the father's right regarding adoption. The provision seeks to safeguard those rights by requiring the authority to obtain High Court approval before dispensing with those rights.