Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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130. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will appoint adoptees and natural parents to the board of the Adoption Authority; if so, when; if not, the reason why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40811/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Board of the Adoption Authority has been appointed as of the 1st of November 2015, in accordance Section 98 of the Adoption Act 2010. Section 98 sets out the particular requirements for membership of the Adoption Authority or Ireland. In addition to the legislative requirements for Board members contained in the Act, consideration is also given to particular knowledge, skills and experience that would strengthen the capacity of the Board.

A person with personal experience of adoption may apply for a position on the Board provided that they also meet the particular requirements for membership set out in section 98 of the Adoption Act 2010.

However the issue of including a member from the adoptive community on the Board of the Authority has been raised with me previously and I will ask my Department to consider this issue as part of a review of the Adoption Act 2010 in the future.