Fine Gael House leader Mr Maurice Manning expressed concern that legal advice seemed to be delaying Government action to legalise the adoption of Paraguayan children here.
Supported by other Opposition members, Mr Manning unsuccessfully sought the urgent restoration of the 1996 Adoption Bill to the Seanad business agenda at report stage. This had been promised by both Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats before the last election, he said.
Despite Mr Manning's contention that many families and children were forced to live in a limbo, the early-restoration move was defeated. Supporting the restoration move, Mr Joe O'Toole (Ind) said senators should have an opportunity to judge the advice of the Attorney General with that of other lawyers. Many children were growing older here without their status being known.