Sir, - The recent contributions by Prof Fred Powell and Kieran McGrath on the issue of social workers and international adoption are very disappointing. In recent times international adoptive parents have been accused of child abuse, criminality and trafficking. To this lexicon of abuse Prof Fred Powell has now added the terms ethnic cleansing and paedophilia. Perhaps the good professor will offer some evidence to back up these outrageous claims.
Kieran McGrath's contribution is not surprising since he is opposed to the principle of international adoption. It is in this light that his contribution must be seen. The assessment process is essentially about preparation for the adoption of a child. Therefore, it should be a partnership where the social worker is using professional expertise to help the parents with the skills and attitudes needed to parent an adoptive child. The negative attitudes displayed by some social workers and the vehemence with which couples are questioned about the most intimate details of their lives means that many couples do not get the true benefits of the process.
Mr McGrath describes childless couples who wish to adopt abroad as being "wealthy". My association represents people from all walks of life. Presumably, in Mr McGrath's view, being "wealthy" and childless means that one is undeserving of any sympathy. The only way around the long delays and the negative attitudes is for the service to be delegated to private agencies staffed by professional social workers with an ethos in favour of international adoption. These agencies would be under the supervision of the Adoption Board. Mr McGrath seems to be confused. On the one hand he wishes responsibility to remain with the health boards and on the other hand he resents the resources devoted to assessments for international adoption.
Our politicians are out meeting real people in their constituencies. Perhaps if Mr McGrath spoke to some of these people and saw some of the children who have been adopted he would realise that international adoption is of benefit to the children and their adoptive parents. - Yours, etc., Francis McGeough, Chairman, International Adoption Association,
Shankill, Co Dublin.