John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if progress made in relation to resolving the difficulties being experienced by couples here wishing to adopt children from Belarus and in particular, those couples presently on a list waiting to finalise adoptions with named children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14147/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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It has not been possible to resolve the outstanding issues in the proposed intercountry adoption agreement with Belarus. I am informed that within the last 2 weeks, a small number of files were returned to the Adoption Board in respect of applicants intending to adopt from Belarus. These applicants have been advised that their applications cannot be progressed. The Adoption Board is now focussing its attention on working with the Belarusian authorities to agree to finalise the very small number of outstanding cases where the applicants involved are much further along in the adoption process.