Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a couple who have already adopted a child from Russia and have met with a second child from the same country that they hope to adopt; if that adoption can proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5679/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I announced on 26 January my intention to bring forward at Committee stage an amendment to the Adoption Bill 2009 that will enable prospective adoptive parents to proceed with an adoption from a non-Hague or non-bilateral country, if prior to the establishment date, they have been issued with a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt. The proposed amendment requires that the Adoption Authority (to be set up under the Act) would be satisfied that the particular adoption meets all the standards of the Hague Convention.

The issue of a 'grandfather' clause was previously given careful and detailed consideration in the preparation of the legislation. It was decided against including such a provision in the Bill as it would represent a considerable dilution of the intent of the legislation in terms of setting improved standards for inter-country adoption.