Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 5

Written Answers. - Foreign Adoptions.

Mary Hanafin

Question:

124 Ms Hanafin asked the Minister for Health and Children if he intends to restrict inter-country adoptions to countries covered by the Hague Convention in spite of the fact that this will eliminate many of the countries from which adoptions take place; if arrangements will be made with other countries in view of the high demand in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20822/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Fahey)

Ratification of the convention will involve major and fundamental amendment of our inter-country adoption laws. At present, our inter-country adoption laws deal mainly with the approval of suitable prospective adopters and the recognition of foreign adoptions. Among the items which the convention Bill will have to make provision for are: the designation of a central Authority with overall responsibility for inter-country adoption; the accreditation of competent bodies (e.g. adoption agencies) to undertake certain tasks in relation to arrangements for the inter-country adoption of children; and automatic recognition of adoptions made under the convention.

The approach to adoptions from non-convention countries is still under consideration in the Department. It is not the intention to exclude any countries with which we already have agreements or working arrangements in place which uphold the spirit and principles of the convention. However, the primary objectives of the convention are to provide safeguards to prevent the abduction or the sale of children and to establish a system of co-operation amongst countries in order to ensure that intercountry adoptions take place in the best interests of the children concerned. Therefore, a child-centred approach incorporating structures and procedures which accord with good practice in inter-country adoption is being taken to the preparation of the legislation.