Joe Behan (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the Adoption Bill 2009 will recognise direct adoptions from Hague ratified contracting states when such adoptions are legislated for and administered in line with the Hague Convention good practice guidelines; if not, if the bill will be amended to give recognition to such adoptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5892/10]

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.

With regard to 'independent' adoptions, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the provisions set out in Part 13 of the Adoption Bill which identify the restrictions on a person in seeking to make arrangements for adoptions. It also identifies the particular role of accredited authorities in this regard.