asked the Minister for Justice if he has received any applications from Irish parents for the adoption of Vietnam orphans; and, if so, the number.
43.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vietnam Orphans.
42.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will ensure that Irish parents who apply to adopt Vietnam orphans will be facilitated in every way.
(Cavan): With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 43 together.
My Department received about half-a-dozen inquiries from persons who expressed an interest in adopting Vietnamese children and those who inquired were informed that the making of adoption orders is a matter for an Bord Uchtála and not for me. They were also informed that an adoption order can be made only where the child is either illegitimate or a full orphan and about the difficulties of proof that would arise in relation to the adoption here of Vietnamese children in the circumstances obtaining.
As regards the admission to this country of refugee children from Vietnam, I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave on 17th April to a Parliamentary Question on the subject, Official Report, Volume 279, No. 12, column 2060.