Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

The Adoption Bill is on the Order Paper after coming from the Seanad. Before it is taken in the House, could the Taoiseach ask the relevant Minister to make a statement on foreign adoptions? A number of people have contacted Deputies to convey their concern that if this is ratified under the Hague Convention, people who have spent two or three years negotiating the adoption of a foreign child could find themselves with the process being brought back to naught. It would do Members a power of good if the Minister would clarify that those who are in the process of seeking to adopt a child from abroad will not be affected in any way by the passing of this legislation.

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