Adoption Act, 1998

Amendment of section 16 (hearing of applications) of Principal Act.

5.—Section 16 of the Principal Act (as amended by section 2 of the Adoption Act, 1964 and section 13 of the Adoption Act, 1974 ) is hereby amended by the substitution of the following for subsection (1):

“(1) The following persons are entitled to be heard on an application for an adoption order—

(a) the applicant,

(b) the child,

(c) the mother of the child,

(d) the father of the child or the person who believes himself to be the father,

(e) the guardian of the child,

(f) the person who immediately before the placing of the child for adoption had charge of or control over the child,

(g) a relative of the child,

(h) a representative of any registered adoption society or health board which is or has been at any time concerned with the child,

(i) an officer of the Board,

(j) any other person whom the Board, in its discretion, decides to hear.”.