Indonesian authorities are expected to go to court shortly to rescind what they believe was the illegal adoption of three-year-old Tristan Dowse.
Indonesian officials have informed the Irish Government that they believe the adoption was not valid, partly because it did not contain a letter from the Indonesian ministry of social affairs.
A US couple based in Indonesia, who have visited the three-year-old in the orphanage where he lives, have expressed an interest in adopting the boy.
If the child is found to have been illegally adopted, the Adoption Board in Ireland may go to the High Court to quash the adoption here if that is deemed in the best interests of the child, according to Irish Government sources. This process could also involve revoking the boy's citizenship.
Irish ambassador to Singapore Hugh Swift is due to return to Indonesia this week to help expedite the process.
A spokesman for the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said yesterday: "Our overriding concern is the welfare of Tristan and to make sure the current legal limbo in which the child is placed is rectified as soon as possible. We can then focus on the future wellbeing of the child and what are in his best interests."
Government sources said they were hopeful that legal difficulties could be resolved in a matter of weeks.
Mr Swift visited the child in the Jakarta orphanage last week and reported to Mr Ahern that the facility appeared to be well-resourced and that the child was in good health, according to Government sources. The orphanage cares for 23 children in total.
Tristan was adopted three years ago by an Irishman, Joe Dowse, and his Azerbaijan-born wife, Lala. He was returned to an Indonesian orphanage a year ago.
The Adoption Board has reportedly offered to advise a solicitor acting for the couple on their legal options. If they choose not to get involved in the legal process, the Adoption Board will be able to resolve the issue in the High Court.
