Vol. 486 No. 1
577 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the current position in relation to finalising adoptions with the Chinese authorities; the number of cases held up; if he will outline a target date for the many cases lodged in the system for long periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1651/98]
The Department of Health and Children, the Adoption Board and the Irish Embassy in Beijing have been actively seeking to finalise arrangements with the Chinese authorities which would enable Irish residents to adopt children from that country. It is my understanding that the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs is at present consulting with the Ministry of Justice which is responsible under Chinese law for the notarisation of adoption orders. I understand that the Adoption Board has forwarded applications from three couples to the Chinese authorities for processing.
I would like to advise the House that it is my intention to travel to China in March in order to meet with the Chinese adoption authorities to try to finalise arrangements for the adoption of Chinese children by Irish residents.
