Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the procedures for Irish people who wish to adopt children outside of the EU jurisdiction; if, in this context, the adoption by Irish persons from such non-EU countries have to be formally approved by the Irish Adoption Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21514/07]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Intercountry adoption is regulated by the Adoption Acts 1952 — 1998. The Acts which are most relevant to intercountry adoption are the Adoption Act 1991 and the Adoption Act, 1998.

There are a number of statutory procedures regulating intercountry adoption. For example, for an adoption to be recognised in Ireland, all prospective adoptive parents habitually resident in Ireland must be assessed and obtain a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt. This requirement applies to all intercountry adoptions, regardless of whether the country of origin of the child is outside the EU jurisdiction or not. This is one of a number of requirements under the Adoption Act, 1991, including, inter alia, the comparability of the adoption law of the country of origin of the child and Irish law. The Adoption Board produces a number of booklets for prospective adoptive parents which explain the processes relating to assessment and adoption in detail.

All procedures are in line with international best practice. The Deputy may wish to note that the current system of intercountry adoption is currently being examined in the context of the forthcoming Adoption (Hague Convention, Adoption Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007 which is being drafted. The Bill will give the force of law to the Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention 1993).