Adoption debacle seals my ‘no’ vote

The State has allowed for the legal adoption of children, as an alternative form of childcare, to take place since 1952.

Since then nearly 50,000 adoption orders have been granted. The State in this 60-year period has failed to conduct any scientific assessments and research into the impact, beneficial or otherwise, adoption has had on these children. A very strange, if not suspicious, some may say even reckless, situation.

Despite this, the Government seeks legal powers to extend adoptions to all children. It also seeks to extend these powers to place a grave legal obligation on children to make an informed decision as to whether or not they wish to be adopted.