Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

All of my experience in this area, as somebody who carried out adoption assessments, as a former Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and from my contact with the Adoption Authority of Ireland, is that the views of the mother are a huge factor in placement issues. It is the practice that several families would be discussed with the parent. Clearly, the mother's wishes are very central to the process. There is no question about that. Although obviously I cannot vouch for this 1000%, I understand the practice is that every attempt is made at what is called "matching" in terms of the adoptive families who are available. For example, if a mother expresses a wish for a particular family type in the course of the assessment of who is suitable for her child, in the discussions and in the counselling that takes place, that would be part of the discussion, and if there was a change from that I have no doubt it would be discussed with her and she would have the option not to place her child.

I will clarify something for Senator Norris. Section 33 mentioned in amendment No. 72 actually refers to section 33 of the Adoption Act.

There is something else I wish to correct; I meant to do it yesterday. I wish to correct the record of the House in regard to the identity issues of the donor conceived child. I have said that the child when seeking a passport when over the age of 18 years would be contacted and informed that there is more information in the national donor conceived person register. That was an error. I intended to say that it is when the person seeks a birth certificate, so I was anxious to clarify that. I inadvertently said passport.