Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the Adoption Bill 2009 will be brought before Dáil Éireann; if she will introduce transitional arrangements in the context of the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39290/09]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the ongoing crisis in the area of inter-country adoption and in particular the impasse surrounding those persons who have been caught in a transitional phase whereby their applications will be void at the conclusion of a new deal on inter-country adoptions; if a transitional agreement will be concluded on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39462/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 179 together.

The Adoption Bill 2009 was initiated in the Seanad and recently passed Committee Stage in that House. The Bill is due to be considered by Dáil Éireann in the current session.

There are transitional provisions contained in the Bill. However, the issue of further transitional measures for prospective parents who are at an advanced stage when the Bill is enacted, and who wish to continue with an adoption from a non-Hague, non-bilateral country, have been raised with me by representative groups. I am currently examining this and other related matters.