GROUPS REPRESENTING adopted people, adoptive parents and children broadly welcomed the Adoption Bill.
The International Adoption Association, which represents families engaged in intercountry adoption, said it would study the Bill in detail to ensure it enabled the continuing provision of loving, secure homes for children who need them.
Chief executive Shane Downer said it was imperative that the Government speedily established bilateral agreements with countries outside the Hague Convention mechanism and with which no agreement exists at present. “The danger is that if we don’t achieve these agreements, there will be fewer countries to adopt from and fewer options for children in institutions in the developing world.”
He called for action to deal with the “appalling” waiting lists for assessment, a process that in some areas can take up to five years.
The Children’s Rights Alliance said the Bill marked a critical step in the journey to bring adoption legislation into line with international best practice.
“By incorporating the Hague Convention into domestic law, this bill will make a real difference to children’s lives,” said its chief executive Jillian van Turnhout. “It will address the current weakness of our adoption laws whereby the 400 intercountry adoptions completed each year operate under lower standards than for domestic adoptions, of which there are about 50 each year.”
The Adoptive People’s Association said there appeared to be little difference between the existing Adoption Board and the proposed new Adoption Authority, and was disappointed at the lack of representation for adopted people.
Norah Gibbons of Barnardos welcomed the recognition in the Bill for fathers to be consulted where a child is being placed for adoption and the need for High Court approval in cases where a father cannot be contacted. Issues relating to post-adoption support should have been included in the legislation, she said.
