Vol. 569 No. 5
92 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which confidential adoption documents went missing and are still missing in the name of persons (details supplied); if, in view of the Government's bilateral agreement with the Republic of Belarus, he will fully investigate the matter and discuss the whereabouts of the documents; if he will contact the persons directly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18155/03]
There is no bilateral agreement in place on adoption between the Republic of Belarus and the Irish Government. However, the Adoption Board has a working arrangement with the Belarussian authorities in relation to adoption. The Adoption Board is an independent statutory body with responsibility for the administration of the Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1998, including the issuing of declarations of eligibility and suitability to adopt abroad. My Department has forwarded the details of your question to the chief executive officer of the Adoption Board for direct reply to the Deputy.
