Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for delays in progressing inter country adoption co-operation between the Adoption Authority of Ireland and CARA, the central adoption authority in India, while both countries are long time signatories of the Hague Convention; if cooperation is likely to develop in the near future in order that the hundreds of Irish prospective adoptive parents approved to adopt from India by the AAI will not have to wait another few years before they can adopt; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49687/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Adoption Authority of Ireland has had extensive dealings with its Indian counterparts (CARA). In 2011, CARA notified the authority that CARA was reviewing its intercountry adoption guidelines and would not be accepting dossiers from Irish applicants either until 30 September 2011 or until further notice. Following several attempts to get clarification from CARA in this regard, a delegation from the authority visited India in June 2012 to discuss various issues relating to intercountry adoption with the Indian authorities. The delegation met with representatives of CARA and with representatives of a number of diplomatic missions in India. The authority sent me a report on this visit on 5 November last. I am reviewing the contents of the report and will revert to the authority in due course. The authority advises that if adoptions are to recommence, the services of an accredited body will be required for intercountry adoption between India and Ireland. The authority has received expressions of interest from accredited bodies and these are being considered.