Frances Fitzgerald
Question:28 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he will grant non-governmental organisation status to International Orphan Aid to speed up the process of Chinese adoptions by Irish couples. [20699/96]
Vol. 471 No. 3
28 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he will grant non-governmental organisation status to International Orphan Aid to speed up the process of Chinese adoptions by Irish couples. [20699/96]
It is a requirement of the Chinese adoption authorities that applications for the adoption of Chinese children be transmitted by a relevant governmental organisation or by a recognised non-governmental organisation. The Adoption Board, which has statutory responsibility under the Adoption Act, 1991, for the regulation and recognition of adoptions effected outside the State by Irish residents, has agreed to undertake the task of transmitting documents on behalf of prospective adopters to the China Centre for Adoption Affairs in Beijing. The relevant Chinese authorities have been informed accordingly through the diplomatic channel.