John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

This is the first occasion I have spoken while the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, is in the Chamber. I take this opportunity to congratulate Deputy Fitzgerald, who was my boss in a previous existence, on her appointment and to commend her on her efforts in the new Department. The Minister has taken a hands-on approach in trying to bring about a positive solution for many families and children.

I agree with Deputy McHugh's remarks in regard to civil servants and, in particular, the people who work in the Minister's office who are good at handling what is a difficult issue. Adoption is a sensitive issue. Many prospective adoptive parents put their lives on hold when involved in the process, the centre of which are the children. There are millions of children all over the world looking for a safe home in which to grow up. This is an area that is fraught with sensitivity on all sides. However, the Minister has made tremendous strides in this respect, in particular in terms of her efforts in Vietnam which brought about a positive resolution.

The Minister in her opening comments at the end of January mentioned that approximately 1,500 children had been adopted into this country from Russia. I am familiar with a number of families who have adopted a child from Russia and are considering adopting again from Russia. I understand that Mr. Shannon engaged in negotiations on this issue in Russia prior to Christmas and that some constitutional issues were raised during those discussions. It is hoped those difficulties can be resolved. I was struck by Deputy Michael McCarthy's reference to the grandfather clause. In excess of 1,000 families in Ireland have adopted a child from Russia. A particular number of those families are keen to adopt another child from Russia. Obviously, the grandfather clause would kick-in in such a scenario. It is hoped that something positive can happen in 2012 for the families in that position. As I stated I am familiar with a number of such families whose lives are on hold waiting for positive news in this regard. I am conscious that from an Irish perspective every effort is being made to bring the Russian authorities on board in reaching a positive result.

I was not aware before entering the Chamber this evening that 80% of countries in the world are not party to the Hague convention. A number of those countries have been mentioned by previous speakers. A number of developing countries have a large number of children who are orphaned and potentially available for adoption and in need of a loving home in which to grow up. I urge the Minister and her departmental officials to engage constructively and proactively - as they have done to date - in agreeing bilateral arrangements with those countries outside the Hague convention. While it may not be possible within this Chamber, the Adoption Authority of Ireland should be asked in another forum to outline approximate timeframes for resolutions to discussions that are taking place with countries such as Russia and Ethiopia, which I note was mentioned earlier. Mexico is also a country about which there was some media comment a few months ago regarding difficulties in which a number of Irish families found themselves and I include the state of Florida in the United States. The authority might be in a position at least to provide an indication to families that are hoping to adopt from the aforementioned areas regarding potential timeframes. Moreover, it should tell people the truth, as the last thing one wishes to do is to build up hope when there will not be a positive resolution. However, the authority should provide people with an idea on what might be a potential timeframe for resolution in this regard. This is the gist of what I wished to ask the Minister, other than to again commend her and her officials on their approachability on this issue, as well as to express the hope they will continue to have success in this regard into the future.

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