A challenge by a couple to decisions by the Adoption Board which allegedly prevent them proceeding with the adoption of a second child from Ethiopia will come before the High Court next Thursday.
The couple have already adopted one Ethiopian child, and they say they have secured all the necessary clearances and documents to adopt this second child and have been given no reasons why they cannot proceed.
They said a notice posted on the board's website had stated that the board was carrying out a review of the Hague Convention on adoption to see how compatible it was with Irish legislation.
When securing leave to bring the action earlier this week, Peter Finlay SC, for the couple, said his clients had a declaration of suitability and eligibility to adopt a baby girl in Ethiopia but recent decisions by the board were preventing them from proceeding.
The couple were in danger of losing the child within 12 days as a result of the board's actions.
Mr Finlay said the Minister for Justice had previously granted the necessary immigration clearance for them to bring a child from Ethiopia into the State and the matter was one of urgency.
The couple said they made the required travel arrangements and official documents authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs on October 10th last.
However, on October 12th the Adoption Board verbally advised them not to travel and not to adopt from Ethiopia.
No reasons were given for such a statement, they said.
When the case was mentioned again yesterday, Mr Finlay said both sides believed the matter was one of urgency.
Gerry Durcan SC, for the Adoption Board, agreed that it was in everybody's interest that the matter be dealt with as quickly as possible.
He said he could not say at this stage whether the board would show cause in the action and he did not know what attitude he would be taking.
Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan put the case in for hearing next Thursday.