Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)

The House is almost 12 months into the debate on adoption, although it has been ongoing for many of the families involved. Almost a year has passed since e-mails started to come into our offices, yet many families are still in limbo and in the dark in terms of marking out a way forward.

The tone of many of the e-mails sent in the past year was angry, but politicians could sense in the electronic correspondence the degree of expectation and hope felt by those families. Many people had planned on having their children before Christmas. However, hopes have been dashed and expectations have not been realised. It is important that we work on this legislation with a mixture of empathy and forthrightness. We can try to do something about this situation.

Post-adoption sensitivities must be factored into the matter. I am also aware of the sensitivities surrounding child welfare and safety, as my colleague, Deputy Clune, pointed out. The central thrust of the Hague convention is to put the best interests of the child to the forefront. No parent in Ireland does not accept this philosophy, but many of the people in this position are bothered by the facts that they cannot see whether the office has any vision and that they do not know to which countries they can go.

The Bill must make allowances for couples currently involved in the adoption process. Many couples have been waiting for four, five or six years. They do not know how the adoption legislation will impact on them. Will they be allowed to go to non-Hague convention countries? For example, many of the countries that have signed up to it allow people to adopt from countries outside it. Putting this fact on the record is important. On enactment, where will the families currently in the adoption process that have received referrals stand? This question has been asked by many families involved in the process.

We need to quantify how many parents are involved in the adoption process or are seeking to enter it. In terms of the bilateral agreement with Vietnam, we were given figures of approximately 250 or 280 families, bordering around the 300 figure. The total figure is a conundrum. We need to engage with them. Granted, they do not necessarily believe that they have been paid lip-service. In fairness to the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, he has taken on board many concerns. However, there has been lip-service in terms of mapping a way forward. Leaving aside all of the emotive words that politicians can sometimes engage in, the people in question are looking for the way forward to be mapped.

When the Adoption Bill goes through, will families be allowed to work with non-Hague convention countries? Will they be able to engage with the UK, the USA, Spain and France? These are the types of question that they need answered and, as Deputy Clune pointed out, need to be answered quickly. Many people are reaching the maximum age threshold and, in one, two or three years' time, will be restricted from adopting. This is a sensitive issue.

I am conscious of Deputy Reilly's entrance. How is the Acting Chairman doing the mathematics?

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