Talks could lead to Irish couples adopting children from Bulgaria

IRISH people may soon be allowed to adopt children from Bulgaria as talks on an administrative agreement with the eastern European country are believed to be at an “advanced” stage.

The Irish Examiner understands that a delegation from the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) attended a meeting with Bulgaria’s central authority on intercountry adoption yesterday and that a framework to allow Ireland to adopt from the country is almost agreed.

Under the Adoption Act 2010, which came into force last November, Irish people can only adopt from countries that have ratified the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption or with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement. Bulgaria has ratified the convention.