
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Adoption of Children from Overseas and Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 and shall come into operation on 21st August 2006.
2 

(1) The Adoption of Children from Overseas Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002  shall be amended in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) In regulation 3 (requirements applying to prospective adopters) –
(a) In paragraph (2)(b), after “suitable to be an adoptive parent;”, the word “and” shall be omitted;
(b) After paragraph (2)(b), the following paragraph shall be inserted:“
(ba) The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has notified the prospective adopter that it agrees that the prospective adopter’s case should proceed;”; and
(c) In paragraph (2)(c), after “Secretary of State”, the words “for Health” shall be omitted.
3 

(1) The Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003  shall be amended in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) In paragraph (3) of regulation 9, after the words “the Central Authority”, where they occur for the second time, there shall be inserted “if it agrees that the prospective adopter’s case should proceed”.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on 15th August 2006
Paul Martin
A senior officer of the
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
