Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

Question 610: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the problems being encountered by the Adoption Authority of Ireland with inter-country adoption applications for new couples seeking to adopt from India; the steps being taken to resolve the issue and problems; if she will outline a timeframe for the matters to be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8202/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Minister, Department of Children; Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

The Adoption Authority of Ireland is an independent statutory body charged with implementing the Adoption Act, 2010. The Authority has responsibility for the direct operational implementation of legislation and Government policy. The AAI has advised that it is proposing to send a delegation to India to discuss administrative matters relating to intercountry adoption between our two countries.