Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1181: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress being made on facilitating adoptions between Ireland and Panama, which is compliant with the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption; when she anticipates that adoptions between the two countries will be possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19468/12]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1182: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the progress being made on facilitating adoptions between Ireland and Panama, which is compliant with the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and cooperation in respect of inter country adoption, when she anticipates that adoptions between the two countries will be possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19473/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1181 and 1182 together.

The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) is an independent statutory body charged with implementing the Adoption Act, 2010. The Authority has responsibility for the direct operational implementation of legislation and Government policy.

In November 2011 the AAI commenced a review of the adoption law(s) of Panama, which has ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The general review process followed by the AAI in such instances is detailed on the Authority's website. Owing to the variable nature of the process in respect of each individual country, and the need to engage with legal experts in the country being assessed, there is no definitive or set timescale for the completion of such reviews. The AAI will provide all relevant information relating to reviews on its website at the appropriate time.

The Hague Convention is a formal state-to-state agreement between countries developed on a multi-lateral basis. If a country has ratified the Hague Convention then the Adoption Authority of Ireland may establish administrative arrangements, as provided for in Section 72 of the Adoption Act, 2010. Administrative agreements are designed to underpin the Hague process and are related to the sequence and process arrangements in place to support the safeguards already agreed between states. The Adoption Authority of Ireland works with central authority counterparts in the establishment of administrative agreements.