Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider initiating discussions between Ireland and Belarus on the matter of inter-country adoptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17383/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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According to information provided by the Adoption Authority, there have been no applications for registration of foreign adoptions from Belarus since 2007, when one application relating to an adoption effected in 2002 was made.

Belarus has ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. However, the National Central Authority of Belarus has not indicated that it will accept applications from persons resident in Ireland. Legal issues exist including the monitoring of post placement reports, registration of the adopted child at the Belarussian embassy in London and consular visits to the homes of adoptive parents.

Prospective adoptive parents with a valid Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability to Adopt who are undertaking an intercountry adoption should ensure the adoption complies fully with the Adoption Act, 2010 and the Hague Convention. Further information in this regard can be found on the Adoption Authority website (www.aai.gov.ie).