Seven families hope to leave for China on March 16th to collect the babies they are ad opting, following the arrival of papers from China on Thursday. An agreement on adoption was reached between Ireland and China this week and papers formalising the first adoptions were given to the Irish Embassy in Beijing at a dinner to mark the visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Ms Sally Keaveney of Irish Orphan Aid said the couples had to sign papers formally accepting the children - all girls aged between six and 14 months - and return them. The Chinese authorities wrote back inviting them to come to China to collect the babies.