Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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160. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Children and Family Relationships Bill will change the current arrangements for step-parent adoption, for example, where at present the only way a woman's second spouse can adopt her child is by her relinquishing her parental rights and the couple then adopting the child together; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6577/15]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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161. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Children and Family Relationships Bill will provide effect to the recommendation by the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection for a simpler procedure for step-parent adoptions, whereby a step-parent could adopt the child, without terminating the rights of existing parents, as permitted in France and Austria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6578/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.

The Children and Family Relationships Bill will not change the current arrangements for step-parent adoption. I understand that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs plans to bring forward legislative proposals in this regard separately.

It is intended that the Children and Family Relationships Bill will have a provision to enable civil partners and cohabiting couples who have lived together for three years to be eligible to adopt jointly.