4.—(1) Regulation 2 (interpretation) is modified as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1)—
(a)for the definition of “adopter” substitute—
““adopter”, in relation to a child, means the person by whom a child has been or is to be adopted;”;
(b)for the definition of “statutory shared parental pay (adoption)” substitute—
““statutory shared parental pay (adoption)” means statutory shared parental pay payable where entitlement to that pay arises under regulation 17 or 18 of the General Regulations as modified by the Statutory Shared Parental Pay (Adoption from Overseas) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015(1);”;
(c)insert the following definitions in the appropriate places alphabetically—
““enter Northern Ireland” means enter Northern Ireland from outside the United Kingdom in connection with or for the purposes of adoption;”;
““official notification” means written notification, issued by or on behalf of the relevant central authority, that it is prepared to issue a certificate to the overseas authority concerned with the adoption of the child, or that it has issued a certificate and sent it to that authority, confirming, in either case, that the adopter is eligible to adopt, and has been assessed and approved as being a suitable adoptive parent;”;
““relevant central authority” means—
in the case of an adopter to whom the Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003(2) apply, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety; and
in any other case, the Secretary of State;”.
S.R. 2003 No. 16, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.