Cyprian Brady (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I spoke earlier to the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, about this matter and I understand that he has a previous commitment this evening. I am raising the issue of the possible renewal of a bilateral adoption agreement between Ireland and Vietnam. As we know, the whole area of adoption is a sensitive and personal one. I have been contacted by a number of people who are at various stages of the adoption process. At any one time there can be up to 1,500 people at different stages within that process. This agreement was put in place quite a number of years ago with the Vietnamese who have a particular issue with young children being abandoned in their country. In the 1970s and 1980s we had a successful refugee programme between Ireland and Vietnam. Indeed, in my own constituency of Dublin Central we have a vibrant, well-attended community centre in Hardwicke Street for the Vietnamese population based in Dublin. From speaking to those people, I know that they are grateful that young Vietnamese children are being adopted and get a great opportunity to live with people who are willing to bring them here and become their parents. However, there is some delay in renewing this inter-country adoption agreement. It is a sensitive matter and the adoption process itself is very difficult. It is only right that the best people are selected to adopt these young children. There are two sides to this story. There is the couple in Ireland anxious to provide a loving home for a young child and there is also the child who is in an orphanage or institution in Vietnam. I look forward to the Minister's update on this matter.

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