Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to the commitment in the Programme for Government to modernise and reform outdated elements of family law, in particular the legislation to consolidate and reform the law on adoption, the way this legislation is progressing and if this will contain provision for the recognition of rights for non-biological parents or children in same-sex relationships. [58049/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am currently examining a number of proposals in relation to possible amendments to the Adoption Act, 2010. Any changes will be brought forward in conjunction with the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2012, which the Government plans to bring before the Oireachtas following the passing of the Children's Referendum.

In addition, the drafting of the Heads of Bill in relation to the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill is at an advanced stage in my Department. While consideration of the policy issues in relation to all aspects of the proposed Bill is ongoing, it is intended that the proposed legislation will provide for a structured and regulated way of both safeguarding adoption records and providing access to adoption information.