Uimhir 29 de 1976

AN tACHT UCHTÁLA, 1976

[An tiontú oifigiúil]

Mínithe.

1952, Uimh. 25.

1.—San Acht seo—

ciallaíonn “ordú uchtála” ordú faoi alt 9 den Phríomh-Acht;

ciallaíonn “an Bord” an Bord Uchtála;

ciallaíonn “an Príomh-Acht” an tAcht Uchtála, 1952.

Bailíocht orduithe uchtála áirithe agus toilithe le hordnithe uchtála.

2.—(1) I gcás ar tharla, i ndáil le hordú uchtála a rinneadh sular ritheadh an tAcht seo, gur thug gach duine, ar ghá a thoiliú leis an ordú a dhéanamh agus nár ligeadh a thoiliú thar ceal, a thoiliú i bhfoirm a bhí, aon tráth, chun na críche sin i rialacha faoi alt 5 den Phríomh-Acht—

(a) measfar gur chomhlíon an Bord alt 15 (2) den Phríomh-Acht,

(b) ní bheidh toiliú a tugadh amhlaidh neamhbhailí, neamhdhóthanach ná lochtach ar shlí eile go heisiatach mar gheall ar cheann de na cúinsí nó ar an dá chúinse seo a leanas—

(i) nárbh fheasach an duine a thug an toiliú go bhféadfaí an toiliú a tharraingt siar aon tráth sula ndéanfaí an t-ordú,

(ii) nárbh fheasach an duine sin an dáta a bheartaigh an Bord an t-ordú a dhéanamh, agus

(c) ní bheidh an t-ordú neamhbhailí go heisiatach mar gheall ar cheann de na cúinsí ná ar an dá chúinse seo a leanas—

(i) nárbh fheasach an duine a thug toiliú leis an ordú a chearta faoi alt 16 den Phríomh-Acht,

(ii) nach raibh a fhios ag an mBord arbh fheasach an duine na cearta sin.

(2) I gcás ar tharla, i ndáil le hordú uchtála arna dhéanamh tar éis an tAcht seo a rith, go ndearnadh toiliú leis an ordú a dhéanamh a thabhairt roimh an Acht seo a rith i bhfoirm a bhí, aon tráth, chun na críche sin i rialacha faoi alt 5 den Phríomh-Acht—

(a) measfar gur chomhlíon an Bord alt 15 (2) den Phríomh-Acht i ndáil leis an toiliú,

(b) beidh feidhm ag forálacha fho-alt (1) (b) den alt seo i ndáil leis an toiliú, agus

(c) ní bheidh an t-ordú neamhbhailí go heisiatach mar gheall ar cheann de na cúinsí nó ar an dá chúinse seo a leanas—

(i) nárbh fheasach an duine a thug an toiliú a chearta faoi alt 16 den Phríomh-Acht,

(ii) nach raibh a fhios ag an mBord arbh fheasach an duine na cearta sin:

Ar choinníoll, áfach, nach bhforléireofar aon ní san fho-alt seo mar ní a theorannaíonn ceart an Bhoird aon fhiosruithe is dóigh leis is gá a dhéanamh nó a chur á ndéanamh.

Eolas do dhaoine a thoilíonn le horduithe uchtála.

3.—(1) Duine ar gá a thoiliú le hordú uchtála a dhéanamh—

(a) inseofar dó, sula dtabharfaidh sé toiliú nó a luaithe is féidir tar éis dó toiliú a thabhairt—

(i) go bhféadfar an toiliú a tharraingt siar aon tráth sula ndéanfar an t-ordú, agus

(ii) go bhfuil sé i dteideal éisteacht a fháil faoin iarratas ar an ordú, agus

(b) má thugann sé toiliú, iarrfar air, an tráth a thabharfaidh sé toiliú nó dá éis sin, a chur in iúl i scríbhinn an mian leis—

(i) go n-inseofaí dó an dáta ar a dtabharfaidh an Bord éisteacht dó féin, dá abhcóide nó dá aturnae faoin iarratas ar an ordú, más mian leis éisteacht a fháil, nó

(ii) d'eile go dtráchtfaí leis arís i ndáil leis an iarratas ar an ordú.

(2) I gcás a mbeidh curtha in iúl ag duine de bhun fho-alt (1) den alt seo nach mian leis go n-inseofaí dó an dáta a dtabharfadh an Bord éisteacht dó féin, dá abhcóide nó dá aturnae faoin iarratas ar an ordú uchtála lenar bhain a thoiliú nó d'eile go dtráchtfaí leis arís i ndáil leis an iarratas, ní gá go n-inseofaí an dáta sin dó ná go dtráchtfaí leis amhlaidh, ach in aon chás eile (lena n-áirítear an cás nach mbeidh aon ní curtha in iúl aige de bhun an fho-ailt sin (1)) inseofar an dáta sin dó agus tráchtfar leis amhlaidh agus, mura féidir teacht air, déileálfaidh an Bord leis an iarratas ionann is dá mba nár thug sé a thoiliú.

(3) Níl feidhm ag an alt seo i ndáil le toiliú lena mbaineann alt 2 den Acht seo.

4.—(1) Ionas go gcomhlíonfar alt 15 (2) den Phríomh-Acht agus alt 3 den Acht seo, féadfaidh an Bord a iarraidh ar dhuine ar bith sa Stát nó lasmuigh de a measfaidh an Bord gur duine oiriúnach chun na críche é, agus a údarú don duine sin, fiosrú a dhéanamh thar ceann an Bhoird agus beidh an Bord i dteideal, más cuí leis an mBord sin agus má ghlacann sé le tuarascáil an duine i ndáil leis an bhfiosrú, a mheas gurb ionann glacadh leis an tuarascáil sin agus an t-alt sin 15 (2) den Phríomh-Acht a chomhlíonadh ag an mBord, agus mar leor-thaispeáint ar alt 3 den Acht seo a chomhlíonadh, maidir le hábhar an fhiosraithe.

(2) Féadfaidh an Bord na cumhachtaí a thugtar don Bhord le fo-alt (1) den alt seo a fheidhmiú in ionad nó i dteannta éisteacht a thabhairt do dhuine a mbeidh a thoiliú le hordú uchtála a dhéanamh á bhreithniú ag an mBord nó fiosrú a chur á dhéanamh faoin duine sin de bhun mhír 11 (3) den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht.

Ní dhearbhófar orduithe uchtála a bheith neamhbhailí murab é leas na leanaí lena mbaineann sin a dhearbhú.

5.—(1) Ní dhearbhóidh cúirt ordú uchtála a bheith neamhbhailí más deimhin leis an gcúirt, tar éis éisteacht a thabhairt d'aon daoine ar dóigh leis an gcúirt gur ceart éisteacht a thabhairt dóibh—

(a) nárbh é leas an linbh lena mbaineann dearbhú den sórt sin a dhéanamh, agus

(b) gur chuí é, ag féachaint don leas sin agus do na cearta atá, faoin mBunreacht, ag na daoine go léir lena mbaineann, gan dearbhú den sórt sin a dhéanamh.

(2) Measfar chun gach críche gur ordú uchtála bailí, agus gurbh ordú uchtála bailí ariamh ó rinneadh é, ordú uchtála mura ndearbhóidh cúirt gur ordú neamhbhailí é.

Orduithe ó chúirt maidir le coimeád leanaí i gcásanna áirithe.

1964, Uimh. 7.

6.—(1) Má bhíonn cúirt tar éis a dhearbhú in aon imeachtaí go bhfuil ordú uchtála neamhbhailí agus má bhíonn an leanbh lena mbaineann i gcoimeád duine nó daoine ar ina fhabhar nó ina bhfabhar a rinneadh an t-ordú uchtála nó i gcoimeád aon duine nó daoine eile seachas an duine nó na daoine a d'iarr an dearbhú neamhbhailíochta, ní dhéanfaidh an chúirt an tráth sin ordú maidir le coimeád an linbh mura mbeidh ordú den sórt sin iarrtha agus gur deimhin leis an gcúirt gur den cheartas, mar gheall ar aon duine a bhfuil an leanbh ina choimeád a uamadh sna himeachtaí agus mar gheall ar na himthosca eile go léir a bhaineann leis an gcás, go ndéanfar ceist coimeádta an linbh a chinneadh an tráth sin seachas in imeachtaí ar leithligh; ach má shocraíonn an chúirt, de réir an fho-ailt seo, ceist coimeádta an linbh a chinneadh déanfaidh sí sin faoi réir forálacha alt 3 den Acht um Chaomhnóireacht Naíon, 1964.

(2) D'ainneoin aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo, ní dhéanfar, gan toiliú na cúirte, an duine nó na daoine a mbeidh ordú uchtála déanta ina fhabhar nó ina bhfabhar (ná aon duine nó daoine eile ag a mbeidh coimeád an linbh arb é ábhar an ordaithe é) a uamadh ná éisteacht a thabhairt dó nó dóibh in aon imeachtaí i gcúirt ar saincheist iontu bailíocht an ordaithe, agus féadfaidh an chúirt, agus í á chinneadh an dtabharfaidh sí an toiliú sin, aighneachtaí a chur i gcuntas a bheidh faighte aici ón mBord nó ó aon duine leasmhar eile i ndáil le haitheantas a thabhairt an tráth sin ar an duine nó ar na daoine lena mbaineann nó i ndáil le haon ábhar iomchuí eile.

Tagairtí do leanbh in Achtanna eile a fhorléiriú.

7.—I gcás a mbeidh tagairt in aon Acht a rithfidh an tOireachtas tar éis an tAcht seo a rith do leanbh le duine nó le daoine, ansin, mura léir a mhalairt d'intinn—

(a) forléireofar an tagairt mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt do leanbh a d'uchtaigh an duine nó na daoine, de réir mar a bheidh, faoi na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1976, agus

(b) measfar, chun críocha an Achta, gur leanbh leis an duine nó leis na daoine réamhráite a rugadh dó nó dóibh de phósadh dleathach, agus nach leanbh le haon duine eile, leanbh a uchtaíodh amhlaidh.

Priobhái eacht taifead.

8.—Ní dhéanfaidh cúirt ordú faoi alt 22 (5) den Phríomh-Acht ná ordú le haghaidh aon leabhar, doiciméad nó taifead de chuid an Bhoird (nó aon sleachta as an gcéanna) a fhollasú, a iniúchadh nó a thabhairt ar aird nó cóip den chéanna a dhéanamh, nó ar aon slí eile i ndáil le heolas a thabhairt nó a fháil as an gcéanna, mura deimhin léi gurb é leas an linbh lena mbaineann go ndéanfaí sin.

Gearrtheideal, forléiriú agus comhlua.

9.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Uchtála, 1976, a ghairm den Acht seo.

(2) Forléireofar na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1974, agus an tAcht seo le chéile mar aon ní amháin.

(3) Féadfar na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1976, a ghairm de na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1974, agus den Acht seo le chéile.

Number 29 of 1976

ADOPTION ACT, 1976

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Number 29 of 1976

ADOPTION ACT, 1976

Definitions.

1.—In this Act—

“adoption order” means an order under section 9 of the Principal Act;

“the Board” means An Bord Uchtála;

“the Principal Act” means the Adoption Act, 1952.

Validity of certain adoption orders and consents to adoption orders.

2.—(1) Where, in relation to an adoption order made before the passing of this Act, the consent to the making of the order of every person whose consent was necessary and was not dispensed with was given in a form for that purpose contained at any time in rules under section 5 of the Principal Act—

(a) the Board shall be deemed to have complied with section 15 (2) of the Principal Act,

(b) a consent so given shall not be invalid, insufficient or otherwise defective by reason only of either or both of the following circumstances—

(i) that the person who gave the consent was not aware that the consent could have been withdrawn at any time before the making of the order,

(ii) that such person was not aware of the date on which the Board proposed to make the order, and

(c) the order shall not be invalid by reason only of either or both of the following circumstances—

(i) that a person who gave a consent to the order was not aware of his rights under section 16 of the Principal Act,

(ii) that the Board had not information as to whether the person was aware of those rights.

(2) Where, in relation to an adoption order made after the passing of this Act, a consent to the making of the order was given before such passing in a form for that purpose contained at any time in rules under section 5 of the Principal Act—

(a) the Board shall be deemed to have complied with section 15 (2) of the Principal Act in relation to the consent,

(b) the provisions of subsection (1) (b) of this section shall apply in relation to the consent, and

(c) the order shall not be invalid by reason only of either or both of the following circumstances—

(i) that the person who gave the consent was not aware of his rights under section 16 of the Principal Act,

(ii) that the Board had not information as to whether the person was aware of those rights:

Provided however that nothing in this subsection shall be construed as limiting the right of the Board to make or cause to be made any enquiries it considers necessary.

Information for persons consenting to adoption orders.

3.—(1) A person whose consent to the making of an adoption order is necessary—

(a) shall be informed before he gives the consent or as soon as may be after such giving—

(i) that the consent may be withdrawn at any time before the making of the order, and

(ii) that he is entitled to be heard on the application for the order, and

(b) shall, if he gives the consent, be asked, at the time of such giving or thereafter, to indicate in writing if he wishes—

(i) to be informed of the date on which the Board will, if he wishes to be heard, hear him or his counsel or solicitor on the application for the order, or

(ii) otherwise to be consulted again in relation to the application for the order.

(2) In case a person has indicated in pursuance of subsection (1) of this section that he does not wish to be informed of the date on which the Board will hear him or his counsel or solicitor on the application for the adoption order to which his consent related or otherwise to be consulted again in relation to the application, it shall not be necessary so to inform or consult him, but in any other case (including the case where he has not given an indication in pursuance of the said subsection (1)), he shall be so informed and consulted and, if he cannot be found, the Board shall deal with the application as if he had not given his consent.

(3) This section does not apply in relation to a consent to which section 2 of this Act applies.

Enquiries on behalf of Board.

4.—(1) For the purposes of compliance with section 15 (2) of the Principal Act and section 3 of this Act, the Board may request and authorise any person either in or outside the State whom it considers suitable for the purpose to make enquiries on its behalf and the Board shall be entitled, if it so thinks fit and accepts the report of the person in relation to the enquiries, to regard such acceptance as compliance by it with the said section 15 (2) of the Principal Act, and as sufficiently demonstrating compliance with section 3 of this Act, as respects the subject matter of the enquiries.

(2) The powers conferred on the Board by subsection (1) of this section may be exercised by it as an alternative or in addition to hearing a person whose consent to the making of an adoption order is being considered by the Board or having enquiries made of that person in pursuance of paragraph 11 (3) of the First Schedule to the Principal Act.

Adoption orders not to be declared invalid if declarations not in best interests of children concerned.

5.—(1) An adoption order shall not be declared invalid by a court if the court, after hearing any persons who, in the opinion of the court, ought to be heard, is satisfied—

(a) that it would not be in the best interests of the child concerned to make such a declaration, and

(b) that it would be proper, having regard to those interests and to the rights under the Constitution of all persons concerned, not to make such a declaration.

(2) An adoption order shall be deemed for all purposes to be and at all times since its making to have been a valid adoption order unless it is declared invalid by a court.

Orders by court as to custody of children in certain cases.

6.—(1) If, in any proceedings, an adoption order is declared invalid by a court and the child concerned is in the custody of the person or persons in whose favour the adoption order was made or any other person or persons not being the person or persons who sought the declaration of invalidity, the court shall not then make an order as to the custody of the child unless such an order is sought and the court is satisfied that, by reason of the fact that any person having custody of the child has been joined in the proceedings and by reason of all the other circumstances of the case, it would be in the interests of justice that the question of the custody of the child should be determined then rather than in separate proceedings; but if the court decides, in accordance with this subsection, to determine the question of the custody of the child it shall do so subject to the provisions of section 3 of the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964.

(2) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1) of this section, the person or persons in whose favour an adoption order is made (or any other person or persons having custody of the child who is the subject of the order) shall not be joined or otherwise heard in any proceedings in a court in which the validity of the order is an issue without the consent of the court, and the court, in deciding whether to give such consent, may take into account submissions made to it by the Board or any other interested person relating to the identification at that time of the person or persons concerned or to any other relevant matter.

Construction of references to child in other Acts.

7.—Where, in any Act of the Oireachtas passed after the passing of this Act, there is a reference to a child of a person or persons, then, unless the contrary intention appears—

(a) the reference shall be construed as including a reference to a child adopted by the person or persons, as the case may be, under the Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1976, and

(b) a child so adopted shall be deemed, for the purposes of the Act, to be the child of the person or persons aforesaid born to him or them in lawful wedlock and not to be the child of any other person.

Privacy of records.

8.—A court shall not make an order under section 22 (5) of the Principal Act or an order for the discovery, inspection, production or copying of any book, document or record of the Board (or of any extracts therefrom), or otherwise in relation to the giving or obtaining of information therefrom, unless it is satisfied that it is in the best interests of any child concerned to do so.

Short title, construction and collective citation.

9.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Adoption Act, 1976.

(2) The Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1974, and this Act shall be construed together as one.

(3) The Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1974, and this Act may be cited together as the Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1976.