Results 2,401-2,420 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: The third group of amendments have been made to re-format section 33 and to ensure consistency with the definition of inter-country adoption in section 3 and consistency with Article 23 of the Hague Convention which provides that an adoption certified by the competent authority of the state of adoption as having been made in accordance with the convention, shall be recognised by operation of...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: I am happy to provide a short clarification.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: Let us be honest, if we are going to support the introduction of higher standards, we must support the consequences of the higher standards. Some of those consequences can be uncomfortable and under previous adoption arrangements we failed to regulate mediation agencies. There were no regulations whatsoever and we wish to do so now. This will be a better scenario for everyone. I did not...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: That is the point I am trying to make. We need to be careful about saying Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency is completely vindicated by the report it commissioned. It is difficult to stand over that. It is not a case of vindication. Let us be clear about what went on and what ISS had to say. The Adoption Board, which is an independent organisation with important functions, is...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: It will take place as soon as we receive compliance from Vietnam in respect of the Hague Convention and I am not sure when this will happen.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: Yes, that will happen as soon as we get this Bill passed, subject to the normal convention rules whereby one must lodge the instruments of ratification with the Hague Convention. Three months after that, the convention becomes active in this country. This will happen in October or November. The final question concerns the 20 sets of prospective parents involved. We have been considering...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: Absolutely.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: Yes.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: In response to Senator Healy Eames, I have never outlined a timeline. I acknowledge this is highly frustrating for those involved, but there is only certainty in respect of those who do not wish to proceed. However, if they wish me to continue making efforts, no guarantees can be given in respect of a timeline. I must consistently maintain this position. While it is very tough for the...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: The next group of amendments provides further clarification of provisions in the Bill. Amendment No. 11 deletes the phrase "effective outside the State" because, in the case of domestic adoptions effected outside the State, section 34 is not applicable. Following this amendment, section 34 applies to the recognition of intercountry adoptions or the making of an adoption order. The...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: When an adoption from Russia is effected, the applicants sign an affidavit undertaking to provide post-placement reports for a period after the adoption, usually four years approximately. However, what happens is - this is a normal human experience - that, although the reports come in promptly for the first six months, as time passes and normality resumes in a family's life, people forget to...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: The Russians were being frustrated by a number of countries, including Ireland, and blacklisted them. However, I am aware that certain adoptions have taken place from Russia in recent months. In any case, I have met officials from the Russian Embassy to clarify what the Government can and must do to keep the door open with Russia, as many have adopted very happily from that country,...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: Nothing. They have signed an affidavit-----

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: -----and their obligation is to the Russian authorities.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: I know. As for the exertion of moral pressure, most of them comply once they realise the consequences of not so doing. I do not attach blame to anyone.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: Yes. As I stated, both the HSE and the Adoption Board get in touch with them in an effort to obtain the information from them. In one or two cases a social worker may be on leave, but this is not common enough to justify blacklisting a country. While there are the natural and administrative blockages one would normally expect, one should not allow them to have the country blacklisted.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: This group relates to the making of transitional arrangements when the Bill is enacted. The amendments are to sections 63 and 175 of the Bill. I am satisfied that my amendments address some of the issues raised by Senators, in so far as is possible, with regard to difficulties encountered with transitional arrangements. Section 63, as originally drafted, provided that a foreign adoption,...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: The next group deals with the amendments outlined. They are technical, drafting amendments to update references in the Bill, including references to the Minister for Social Protection, the Minister for Justice and Law Reform and the Department of Justice and Law Reform. Amendments 14 and 15 delete the reference to affiliation order, which is a term used in the 1952 Act but which we used in...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill Amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: This has been a long road for the Adoption Bill given that the heads of the Bill were produced in 1998. There has been much consultation and many people have had an input. I thank all the prospective adoptive parents, the adopted persons, and people who gave up children for adoption for their input. The Bill is a testament to their efforts, interests and experiences. We have tried to...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Jul 2010)

Barry Andrews: Political accountability is one of the core functions of the Minister in his or her relationship with the Oireachtas and, therefore, the intention of the amendment is captured by these functions and it is not necessary to make an amendment. While in its original draft, the Bill referred to the child deaths review group, the new section provides for the HSE to be proactive in furnishing the...