Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the Hague Convention will be ratified here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4249/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Adoption Bill 2009 provides for the restating or updating of the provisions of the Adoption Acts 1952-1998 as appropriate, and for the repeal of those Acts. It also gives force of law to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Intercountry Adoptions. The Bill also provides for the establishment of the Adoption Authority of Ireland to replace An Bord Uchtála.

The Adoption Bill 2009 was published in January 2009 and completed all stages in the Seanad by May 2009. Second stage was commenced in Dáil Eireann on 18th November 2009 and completed on 21st January 2010. Committee stage is expected to commence in February 2010 and it is hoped that the Bill will complete its passage through both Houses shortly thereafter. Entry into force of the Hague Convention occurs on the first day of the month following three months after the instrument of ratification or accession is deposited with the depository, which is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.