Vol. 514 No. 4
150 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the age limit referred to in the guidelines recently published by the Adoption Board on the matter of applicants for inter-country adoption represents government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4551/00]
As already advised to the House on 27 January and 1 February last, the Adoption Board is an independent statutory body with primary responsibility for matters related to adoption. Its experience and expertise in this area is well established. The reasoning behind the Adoption Board's decision has already been outlined in detail. I am satisfied that this important issue was given very careful consideration by the board before any decision was made and my predecessor, the Minister, Deputy Fahey, was informed in advance of the board's intention to issue this guidance.
It is worth noting that the board is obliged to consider the welfare of the child as of paramount importance in all decisions it makes. In this context, it has allowed exceptions to age limits in cases where prospective adoptive parents have a pre-existing relationship with the child or where a sibling becomes available for adoption. I also note that the Adoption Board have pointed out that approximately 90% of couples who have applied to have their inter-country adoptions recognised under Irish law or to have Irish adoption orders made where the board was not in a position to recognise their inter-country adoptions, have come within the board's guidelines on age.
