A challenge by a couple to decisions by the Adoption Board that have cast doubt on their ability to proceed with the adoption of a second child from Ethiopia will come before the High Court on Monday.
The Adoption Board has told the court it has concerns about whether Ethiopian law on adoption is compatible with Irish law, including whether such adoptions terminate the rights of natural parents. Those concerns arose from legal advice obtained following a review of the law on foreign adoptions and its compatibility with the law in other countries, including Ethiopia.
Submissions in the case concluded yesterday before Mr Justice Garret Sheehan, who said he appreciated the urgency of the matter. He put the case in for mention on Monday, but said he could not guarantee he would have a decision that day.
The couple have already adopted one Ethiopian child and their counsel, Peter Finlay SC, has told the court they had secured all the necessary clearances and documents to adopt a second child, a baby girl.
Kiernan Gildea, registrar of the Adoption Board, has said the board was mindful of the stress involved for those undertaking inter-country adoptions, but the board could not yet - pending a full assessment not yet completed - provide full assurance that Ethiopian adoptions are compatible with Irish law. Prospective parents had been advised of the situation and a notice was posted on the board's website on October 10th last, he said.