Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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354. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider amending the legislation regarding adoptive leave to make provision for one of the fathers of an adopted child to take adoptive leave in a situation in which the adoption is being undertaken by a male same-sex couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4299/20]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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On 22 October 2019, the Government approved the priority drafting of provisions on adoptive leave with a view to their inclusion in the earliest appropriate bill. These provisions will give all adopting couples, whether same sex or opposite sex, the right to select which of them will be the qualified adopter, i.e. which of them will get adoptive leave and benefit.

Drafting of the provisions was ongoing and it was intended to include them in the Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill but this was not ultimately feasible. It will be a matter for the incoming Government as to whether the amendments should be a priority in its legislative programme, whether as a stand alone piece of legislation or otherwise.