Seanad debates

Wednesday, 3 October 2012

Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages

 

4:35 pm

Photo of Rónán MullenRónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I forget exactly where we left off. However, I recall noting to the Minister that I had not heard a strong reason not to accept my proposal, namely, the insertion of the words "in particular". This removes a potential area of ambiguity with regard to how the constitutional amendment could be interpreted. It is clear that the insertion of the words "in particular" would in no sense import the notion that what was envisaged in adoption legislation in an involuntary adoption context was some kind of a natural progression from the taking of children into care under the proposed Article 42A.2.1o.

If the amendment I propose is not accepted, this leaves open the possibility of interpretation of the possibility of legal provisions around adoption in some way that is free of the provisions of Article 42A.2.1o. For these reasons, I would have been happy to hear the Minister say she would take this issue into account and consider bringing forward a suitable amendment or, at least, consider thinking about it further, either before Report Stage here - which is today - or before the matter is before the Dáil.

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