The case of twin girls who were "bought" twice over the Internet could not happen in this State, according to the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Children.
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Ms Mary Hanafin
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Following the case of the British couple who adopted twin girls from the United States using an American agency advertising on the Internet, Ms Mary Hanafin today outlined the protections in Irish Adoption law that ensure such a case could not happen here.
Referring to the provisions of the Adoption Act, 1991 and 1998 regarding inter-country adoption Ms Hanafin said: "This case demonstrates the inherent dangers in adoption systems which allow private placements and private assessments, which are both outlawed in the Irish system."
The Registrar with the Adoption Board, Mr David Wolfe, told ireland.comthat "the procedures in place in Ireland regarding inter-country adoption are extremely rigorous."
Mr Wolfe said a number of steps would have to be followed by any couple living in the state looking to adopt a child from another country.
Firstly they would need to be deemed eligible by their local health board and receive a declaration of suitability from the Adoption Board.
Then they would have to apply for and receive immigration clearance from the Department of Justice and send this information along with birth certificates and character references to the relevant foreign adoption board for application.
Meanwhile the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair has denounced as "disgusting" the "sale" of the twins as authorities investigated their legal status.
Authorities in Wales are investigating the circumstances of Kimberley and Belinda, who were brought to Britain by Alan and Judith Kilshaw, from Flintshire in North Wales.
Mr Kilshaw said as far as he and his wife were concerned they had adopted the children and brought them into the country legally.
"I don't think this is an international row, we've had tremendous support from people in the United States," he said.
Additional reporting by Reuters