Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The vice-chairperson and chief executive officer of the Adoption Board returned from Vietnam today following a visit to review the adoptions facilitated by the individual to whom the Deputy referred and who acted as a facilitator for adoptions from Vietnam by Irish residents, and to ensure that the bilateral adoption agreement between Ireland and Vietnam continues to operate successfully. The person in question had been suspended from duties following receipt of the anonymous allegation.

Following a number of meetings with the central adoption authority at the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice, the Adoption Board has received written notification from the Ministry of Justice in Vietnam confirming the legality of adoptions effected under the Irish-Vietnamese bilateral adoption agreement and that these adoptions were processed in accordance with Vietnamese legal requirements.

The lady referred to by the Deputy has resigned from her consultancy position with Helping Hands adoption mediation agency and has agreed to transfer the remaining Vietnamese adoption dossiers and fees to the Helping Hands adoption mediation agency in Vietnam. Arrangements are being put in place in this regard by the mediation agency. The authorities in Ireland and Vietnam welcome these developments. The board awaits confirmation from the Irish authorities regarding the allegations made against the person in question. For all practical purposes the matter has reached a resolution. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

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