Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I emphasise that I am not suggesting what the Adoption Authority of Ireland is doing is in any way incorrect, rather I am saying there appears to be a perception, including in the media, that parents are afraid to raise concerns about their relationship with the authority and their referral by it to third parties, which process is costing them a great deal of money. They are afraid that if they raise concerns, this will somehow inhibit their possible chances of adopting a child. That is the reason I raise the issue. There must be some questions raised about why it should cost so much money. My understanding is the money must be paid up-front. It seems that this is a financial burden too far.

I am pleased that the Minister has made reference to the countries I mentioned because they are the ones in which Irish parents were previously successful in adopting pre the Hague Convention 2010. Does he have a timeline for completion of the review and his consideration of its findings and the Act? Obviously, time is ticking for the parents who have been in the system for so many years.