Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following urgent matter: the Irish adoption agreement with Vietnam under which the Irish Adoption Board, through the adoption mediation agency Helping Hands, permits the payment of US currency notes and US dollar bank drafts directly to the account of a named Vietnamese facilitator who, according to US court records, has a criminal record; how Garda clearance was forthcoming for this individual to fill the role of facilitating couples adopting babies in Vietnam; the status of all current adoption applications being processed; and how it can be ensured that inter-country adoptions with Vietnam will be completed in the best interests of the children and the prospective adoptive parents.

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