Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

Is the Minster of State aware he originally told the House that the ISS report would be published before the end of October after which some form of public debate would be held? Will he explain why he is now giving a November date? How soon will it be published?

What is the Minister of State's thinking with regard to a new bilateral agreement? He said there was an exchange between himself and the Vietnamese deputy premier. Will the Minister of State actively seek to enter into a new bilateral agreement? Alternatively, has he determined to let the matter stand until such time as the Adoption Bill 2009 is passed and the Hague Convention is ratified by both countries?

If that is the case, approximately 300 couples and individuals deemed suitable to adopt by the Adoption Board and who intended to adopt in Vietnam will find themselves in limbo. The Minister of State will be aware of 20 individuals or couples who had submitted all relevant papers to the Vietnamese to effect an adoption but no child has been allocated yet. No progress has been made in advancing these adoption applications. Is the Minister of State aware the Adoption Board and the Helping Hands organisation are waiting for some authorisation from him or his office to facilitate these 20 outstanding cases?

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