Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support the amendment. I brought the legislation to the attention of a number of my friends and constituents who are either adoptive parents or hope to adopt. One of the issues they raised strongly with me was the fact that countries outside the Hague Convention would become almost exclusion zones as far as the adoption procedure is concerned. What I have heard from my colleagues is important in the sense that they are not trying to reduce the bar. They want the standards and conditions applicable to the Hague Convention to be the set standard, but they want prospective parents to have the opportunity to adopt children from countries outside the Hague Convention zone. I support that concept. We are probably not talking about very many such adoptions. However, we must recognise that the possibility of the door being shut firmly in respect of a number of countries arising from their non-participation in the Hague Convention is a negative aspect in the legislation. The amendment would provide for the inclusion of such countries with the highest possible standards being applicable. I hope the Minister of State will reflect favourably on this amendment. It is one area of the Bill that has been brought to my attention by a number of concerned persons.