181 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the legal position between Ireland and Belarus in regard to adoption. [2105/11]

215 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the legal position between Ireland and Belarus in regard to adoption. [2104/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 215 together.

Belarus has ratified the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. The Adoption Act, 2010, commenced on 1st November 2010. This coincided with Ireland's formal ratification of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. All inter-country adoption arrangements are now governed by the terms of the Adoption Act, 2010, and all adoptions from a Hague country must be compliant with the rules set out in the Hague Convention.