Russian adoption crisis
Senator White urges retrospective legislation to allow stalled Russian adoptions to proceed, citing families’ prolonged uncertainty and emotional distress. She quotes the Minister’s advice that extending declarations of eligibility may be legally possible and demands urgent action.
I am compelled to raise the serious matter of the Irish Russian adoption crisis, about which I spoke on two previous occasions. I am in contact with Ms Lisa Fennessy and Ms Pamela O'Reilly, two of the women who are enduring a state of extreme uncertainty and emotional pain on this issue. While the couples in question very much appreciate the commitment of the Attorney General, Máire Whelan, to a possible retrospective clause in an amendment, we must continue to fight on behalf of these families, who remain in a state of limbo. We must urge the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, to stay on top of the issue and find a resolution as soon as possible. The Minister has been dealing with the issue since July and she would want to get her act together.
Comment on this
The Russian babies and their potential parents' future rests in her hands. We must find a resolution as soon as possible.
Comment on this
I do not want anyone interrupting and giving their opinion. I recently submitted a parliamentary question on the issue to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs asking if legislation would be amended retrospectively to allow the number of families who hold declarations of eligibility and suitability to adopt which were issued to them prior to 31 October 2010 and already have referrals of children in the Russian Federation to proceed with their stalled Russian adoptions, as previously indicated.
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On a point of order, are Senators allowed table parliamentary questions?
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I received the following response from the Minister: "The advice of the Attorney General has been sought and I understand that in principle it is possible to enact legislation which could retrospectively extend the period of validity to declarations." I am urgently and passionately calling on the Minister to do something about the extreme pain she is putting people through. How would she like to be in this situation if she was waiting for years to adopt a baby?
Comment on this
How would she like to feel it herself?