<p>
	The right of children to be adopted irrespective of the marital status of their parents is part of the first Bill introduced in the D&aacute;il by the new Government.</p>
<p>
	Minister for Children Katherine Zappone introduced the Adoption (Amendment) Bill, published last month by her predecessor Dr James Reilly, which gives effect to the constitutional amendment arising from the children&rsquo;s referendum, passed in 2012.</p>
<p>
	Previously, a child could only be adopted where the parents were unmarried but under the Bill a child can be adopted where both parents consent to the adoption.</p>
<p>
	Ms Zappone said the legislation also provided that the best interest of the child would be &ldquo;the paramount consideration in regard to any matter, application or proceedings under the Adoption Act 2010&rdquo;.</p>
<h4>
	Due weight</h4>
<p>
	She said that would mean the views of the child would be ascertained by the Adoption Authority or by the court and those views would be &ldquo;given due weight, having regard to the age and maturity of the child&rdquo;.</p>
<p>
	The legislation also changes criteria under which the High Court could make an order authorising the adoption of a child without parental consent, &ldquo;in a case of parental failure&rdquo;.</p>
<p>
	The Bill will make specific provision for adoption by a step-parent to overcome the current requirement where a step-parent can jointly adopt a child with the parent, but the parent is obliged to adopt their own child.</p>
<h4>
	Not acceptable</h4>
<p>
	&ldquo;I do not consider this to be acceptable,&rdquo; the Minister said. Under this Bill, &ldquo;the parent will continue to be a parent and the step-parent will be an adoptive parent&rdquo;.</p>
<p>
	Adoption of a child by civil partners and cohabiting couples will also be inserted into the Bill.</p>
<p>
	Ms Zappone said the legislation provided significant improvements to the rights of children and &ldquo;will give a voice to the child and we will finally put the best interests of the child at the centre of any decision regarding adoption&rdquo;.</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/new-bill-allows-adoption-regardless-of-parents-marrital-status-1.2651825">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/new-bill-allows-adoption-regardless-of-parents-marrital-status-1.2651825</a></p>
