2011-09-13: AAI notice on Florida

By John K. on September 13, 2011

http://www.aai.gov.ie/index.php/hague-countries/florida-usa.html

NOTICE – FLORIDA – 13th September 2011

The Adoption Authority of Ireland’s advisory of 13th April, 2011 noted the active consideration of intercountry adoption from the State of Florida, USA, and engagement between the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the US Central Authority on the issue. Further to this and other inquiries made, the AAI wishes to advise all prospective adoptive parents as follows:

· The Authority intends to enter into further discussions with the US Central Authority regarding adoptions from Florida by Irish applicants;

· The Authority intends to seek legal advices on a number of issues arising in respect of adoptions from that jurisdiction.
Continue reading »

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Marriage Equality urges TDs and Senators to commit to equality for same sex couples and their families

By John K. on July 26, 2011

PDF versions of the “Out to your TD” lobbying pack are available to download from http://www.marriagequality.ie/getinvolved/tdcampaign/downloadtdpack.html

Civil Partnership is not the same as civil marriage – that is the message Marriage Equality is reiterating to TDs and Senators as they head off on their summer holidays, as part of its re-launched “Out to your TD” campaign packs.

The campaign, originally launched in 2008, has had great success in raising awareness on the issue of civil marriage for same sex couples. It calls on supporters to visit their TDs, share their stories, and demand that the political system ends discrimination and inequality and instead treats same-sex couples equally with heterosexual couples. Continue reading »

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2011-06-15: AAI notice on South Africa

By John K. on June 15, 2011

http://www.aai.gov.ie/index.php/hague-countries/south-africa.html

Adoption Authority notice re: South Africa – 15 June, 2011 The Adoption Authority of Ireland advised prospective adopters in March last that both the Authority and the Irish Embassy in Pretoria were continuing in their efforts to establish relations with the South African Central Authority.

The Embassy of Ireland met on Tuesday, 17 May last with the Director of Adoptions and International Social Services at the SA Department of Social Development. Continue reading »

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2011-04-13: AAI notice on the UK

By John K. on April 13, 2011

http://www.aai.gov.ie/index.php/intercountry-adoption/whats-new.html

NOTICE – ENGLAND     –  13th April 2011

A delegation from the AAI met with the English Central Authority in London recently. The primary purpose of the meeting was to address a small number of cases of children in respect of whom adoption orders have been sought and who have been brought from England in anticipation that these orders will be granted. Continue reading »

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2011-04-13: AAI notice on Florida

By John K. on April 13, 2011

http://www.aai.gov.ie/index.php/intercountry-adoption/whats-new.html

NOTICE – FLORIDA – 13th April 2011

Intercountry adoption from the State of Florida, USA, is under active consideration by the AAI and is the subject of ongoing engagement with the US Central Authority. The outcome of these considerations will be posted on the website once a definitive conclusion has been reached.

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2011-04-13: AAI notice on South Africa

By John K. on April 13, 2011

http://www.aai.gov.ie/index.php/intercountry-adoption/whats-new.html

NOTICE – SOUTH AFRICA – 13th April 2011

The Adoption Authority of Ireland wishes to advise that both the Authority and the Irish Embassy in Pretoria are continuing in their efforts to establish from the South African Central Authority whether it will accept applications for intercountry adoptions from Ireland in 2011. We have, as yet, received no indication from the Central Authority of their intentions and will advise as soon as we receive any information.

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lgbtNoise: Flash Demo – Saturday 12th March at 3pm – O’Connell Street across from the GPO

By John K. on March 11, 2011

http://lgbtnoise.ie/?p=1686

Noise launches their Ministry of Protest. Bring your friends and family and don’t forget your banners and slogans!

The programme for government has been agreed by Fine Gael and Labour.

http://www.labour.ie/download/pdf/programme_for_national_government.pdf

http://www.finegael.ie/upload/ProgrammeforGovernmentFinal.pdf

Same-sex marriage is one of a number of issues to be reviewed by a committee which will report back in 12 months however this is NOT a commitment to marriage equality.

Justice delayed is still justice denied! Noise is appointing ALL OF US Ministers for Protest to ensure that marriage equality is not delayed any longer! Protest with us this Sat the 12th of March at 3pm on O’Connell Street across from the GPO. Bring your friends and family and lets make sure the government knows that LGBT people want equal rights now!

 

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2011-02-26: 31st Dáil, Barry Andrews, eliminated on the 7th count. Gilmore elected on the first count.

By Noel on February 26, 2011

Barry Andrews, the minister in charge of adoption, was not re-elected a TD for Fianna Fáil on Friday 25th 2011 in his constituency of Dún Laoghaire.

He is the minister who failed to protect the constitutional rights of children living in “pink households”, by denying their parents the right to marry, and thus denying these children the right to be raised in a married household (protected Family according to the constitution=Teaghlach=Household).

We are still family, he no longer is…

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/elections/Election_Result-2556361.html

He was eliminated on the 7th count, as he had anticipated a number of months ago at the last 2010 IAA conference.

He only got 3452 first votes and only 344 transfers, for a quota of 11336.

Eamon Gilmore was elected on the first count with 11468 first preferences, but was unable to get Ivana Bacik enough transfers (eliminated on the 9th count with 5749 first preferences and 1557 transfers).



Who will be the next minister in charge of adoption?

And from which party?

How will that influence adoption and family rights for pink households?

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2011-02-23: UK (NI), Plea to save children’s services

By John K. on February 23, 2011

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/plea-to-save-childrens-services-2553678.html

 Wednesday February 23 2011

Children’s services could be hardest hit by Northern Ireland’s draft budget, the Children’s Commissioner has warned.

Young people have been left invisible by the four-year spending plan, said Patricia Lewsley.

She said children’s services in health, social care, education and in the community were already under-funded.

“The budget needs to be re-written to clearly show where resources are being allocated to meet children’s rights and best interests,” she said. Continue reading »

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2011-02-22: France, Académie de Medicine in favour of making domestic adoptions easier

By John K. on February 22, 2011

Original French article: http://www.liberation.fr/societe/01012321757-l-academie-de-medecine-veut-faciliter-l-adoption-nationale

Original report by the French Academy of Medecine: http://www.academie-medecine.fr/Upload/Mantz_rapp_15fevr_2011.pdf

The finding of the latest report on adoption by the French Academy of Medecine should insire France, but also Ireland, to have a hard look at how children’s best interest are not served by making domestic adoptions so hard.

At the same time, some support group for people suffering financial hardship want to avoid children being removed fromloving families because of poverty. Continue reading »

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