Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Health and Children

Adoption Services

10:00 am

Photo of Noel CoonanNoel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 237: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a bilateral adoption agreement with Ethiopia; if it is envisioned that parents here will be able to adopt from Ethiopia in the near future; if not, if transitional measures will be put in place for parents who have sent their declaration to Ethiopia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29519/10]

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Adoption Bill, 2009, is designed to give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. The new legislation, which incorporates the provisions of the Hague Convention, is designed to provide a framework to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed and that all adoptions are effected in the best interests of the child. Future intercountry adoption arrangements will be governed by the terms of the Adoption Bill 2009 when enacted. The Adoption Bill completed its passage through both Houses of the Oireachtas last week.

Ireland does not have a bilateral agreement with Ethiopia in respect of adoption. Consideration of this matter is ongoing. I have been in touch with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in Ethiopia as part of an assessment of adoption practice and the child welfare and protection systems in place in Ethiopia.

I brought 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 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.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.