66.— (1) The Authority is designated as the Central Authority to perform in the State the functions conferred on the Central Authority under this Act or by virtue of the Hague Convention.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) and Article 22 (which relates to the performance of Central Authority functions by public authorities), the Authority may delegate in writing one or more of its functions as the Central Authority to the F76[Child and Family Agency] or such accredited bodies as the Authority may specify.

(3) The following functions may not be delegated by the Authority:

(a) as the Central Authority of the receiving state—

(i) issuing, in accordance with paragraph (1) of Article 15 (which relates to reports by Central Authorities of receiving states), a declaration of eligibility and suitability as part of the report referred to in that Article, and

(ii) arranging the return of a child under paragraph (1)(c) of Article 21 (which relates to measures by the Central Authority for child protection after a child’s transfer to the receiving State), if the child’s interests so require;

(b) as the Central Authority of the state of origin—

(i) transmitting to the Central Authority of the receiving state the report referred to in Article 16 (which relates to reports by the Central Authorities of states of origin), proof that the necessary consents have been obtained and the reasons for the Authority’s determination concerning the placement, and

(ii) deciding, in accordance with Article 17 (which relates to when the state of origin may entrust a child to prospective adoptive parents), whether the child should be entrusted to prospective adopters.