Vol. 515 No. 2
81 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the Adoption Board having introduced any practice whereby a couple will be prohibited from processing an adoption where the older member of the couple exceeds 45 years and the younger member exceeds 42 years; and the guidelines, if any, concerning age limitation on adoption. [4877/00]
As already advised to the House on 27 January and 1 and 16 February last, the Adoption Board is an independent statutory body established under the Adoption Act, 1952, and is responsible for the administration of adoption law. As the primary body responsible for adoption matters it has developed a specialised knowledge of the issues surrounding adoption, both domestic and intercountry. Its experience and expertise in this area is well established. My predecessor, Deputy Frank Fahey, outlined in detail the reasoning behind the Adoption Board's decision on 27 January. Since this matter is now the subject of High Court proceedings, I do not think that it would be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
