The following section is substituted for section 6 (amended, as to the minimum period of adoptive leave, by Article 4 of the Order of 2004) of the Principal Act:

"6. Entitlement of employed adopting mother (or sole male adopter) to minimum period of adoptive leave.

(1) Subject to this Part, an employed adopting mother (or sole male adopter) shall be entitled to leave (to be known as 'adoptive leave') from the employee's employment.

(2) Adoptive leave shall begin on the date of placement and be for a minimum period of 16 weeks.

(3) The minimum period may be extended by order made by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and the Minister for Finance.".