Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 79:

In page 81, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:“Amendment of section 14 of Principal Act

106. Section 14 of the Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following paragraph

after paragraph (c):

“(d) request from the birth mother or guardian her or his preference, if any, for the category of applicant as outlined under section 33(1)(a) (i), 33(1)(a)(i)(ia), 33(1)(a)(i)(ib), 33(1)(a)(ii) and 33(1)(a)(iii) into which the child shall be placed.”.”.

We spoke at length on Friday about whether in the course of an assessment for an adoption placement the birth mother’s wish to nominate her family type or preference for her child would be acknowledged and noted in the child’s placement. I was largely happy with what the Minister said then but it struck me over the weekend that I had not asked her whether, when this Bill passes into law and after the referendum, when the marriage equality legislation is passed, a birth mother will be counselled and encouraged to nominate her preference for the family type in the same way and whether her wishes will be met as the advocate for the child.