Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 123: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Question No. 277 of 14 June 2005, if a person (details supplied) has been the subject of administrative proceedings over the past year or more which come under the ambit of Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; her views on whether there are [i]prima facie [/i]conflicts of interest on the part of Irish State parties who have been involved in the case to date, as against the interests of the child; if this person is entitled under the aforementioned conventions to be independently represented; if such entitlement exists in respect of the current administrative proceedings and, therefore, is not contingent on any judicial proceedings being brought in the future, such as proceedings related to the person's adoption or citizenship; if the Attorney General will apply to the High Court for an order appointing an independent representative for this person; and if a comprehensive reply will be provided to this question. [21375/05]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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This is a most complex and highly sensitive case. The Government is actively engaged in seeking to find a solution. At all times the best interests of the child have been and will remain the primary consideration.

High Court proceedings against the adoptive parents of this child have been instigated by the Attorney General in his role as protector of the unprotected. As the matter is before the court it is not appropriate to comment further.