Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [34607/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Central Authority for Child Abduction operates in my Department for the purposes of, among other international instruments, the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. The Convention is designed to ensure the prompt return of children who have been removed from one contracting state to another - usually by a parent in defiance of the wishes of the other parent. It is based on the principle that the custody of a child should be decided by courts in the state in which the child habitually resides. The Convention is in force in over 80 countries world-wide. Both Ireland and the United States of America are contracting parties to the Hague Convention.

Where a child under the age of 16 is wrongfully removed from the State in breach of guardianship or custody rights, the person whose rights have been breached can make an application to our Central Authority for Child Abduction for the return of the child. The Authority can be contacted for assistance at 01 4790200 or by e-mail. Details in relation to the Authority and the Convention are available on my Department's website at www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/International_child_abduction.