Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

The organisation representing these parents and parents-to-be has been asked by the Minister to come back to him with proposals. It would be useful if an indication were provided as to how provisions of this kind might be included in the Bill or put in place in some other way.

This is a burning issue and I am sure the Taoiseach, like every other Member, has been presented with cases where, for example, a child from Ethiopia will now be prevented from having a brother or sister from that country. It has been argued that the Hague Convention prevents the making of provisions by the Government but that is not the case. The Government is in a position to ensure that where proper standards apply, arrangements can be made in respect of adoptions from these countries.

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