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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Nov 1951

Vol. 127 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Adoption of Irish Infant.

asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he is aware that certain English Sunday newspapers, circulating in Ireland, carried a news item that a baby, said to be an Irish citizen, was given a passport to enable the infant's mother to send him to the United States to be adopted by a well-known film actress, and if he will state whether the report is correct; and, if so, what precautions were taken to protect the religious life of the infant and if it is incorrect whether he intends contradicting the report.

I am aware of the newspaper reports referred to by the Deputy. They were not correct in stating that the passport was granted to enable the child to be adopted in the United States.

The father of the child, who applied in person for the passport, made a solemn written declaration that it was required to enable the child to travel to the United States for a holiday.

On production of the necessary evidence of nationality and parentage, together with his written consent to the child's travelling unaccompanied by its parents, the passport was issued to the father by a junior officer of the London office.

I consider it most regrettable that a passport was granted in this case and I have given instructions that in future passports in respect of children are not to be issued in our offices abroad without prior reference to the heads of missions or to the Department in Dublin.

I intended to raise a supplementary on this question, but in view of the excellence of the Minister's reply, I do not propose to do so.

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