When considering an application referred to in section 135 the court must—
| (a) |
be guided by the principles set out in Chapters 2 and 3 to the extent that those principles are applicable to the matter before it; and |
| (b) |
take into account all relevant factors, including— |
| (i) |
the need for the child to be permanently settled, preferably in a family environment, taking into consideration the age and stage of development of the child; |
| (ii) |
the success or otherwise of any attempts that have been made to reunite the child with the person whose parental responsibilities and rights are challenged; |
| (iii) |
the relationship between the child and that person; |
| (iv) |
the degree of commitment that that person has shown towards the child; |
| (v) |
whether there had been any contact between the parent and the child over the year preceding the application; and |
| (vi) |
the probability of arranging for the child to be adopted or placed in another form of alternative care. |
Public Service Commission Act, 1997
