Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to put the Deputy's question in the context of changes in inter-country adoptions. Recent years have seen a significant fall-off in the number of inter-country adoptions taking place internationally. The total number of children adopted into the top 12 receiving states in 2004 was 43,142. In 2011, this figure had dropped to 21,911, which is a drop of 50%. The United States, which receives by far the largest number of adoptions, has seen a reduction of almost 60% over this period.

These trends reflect the significant decline in recent years in the number of children, particularly infants, available for adoption, as child protection safeguards have improved in developing countries which previously placed large numbers of children for adoption. In many cases, these reforms in countries of origin have been given expression and impetus by their ratification of the Hague convention. The convention requires members to strengthen protections for children, birth parents and prospective adoptive parents in the adoption process and to prioritise the improvement of systems for the care and adoption of children.

The rate of inter-country adoptions into Ireland has been comparatively very high. In 2008, when adjusted for population size, it was higher than for all other European countries and others such as the United States, Canada and Australia. Therefore, in 2008 Ireland was still experiencing a higher rate of inter-country adoption at a time when a sharp downward trend had commenced globally. However, reforms in a number of countries of origin from where most Irish adoptions took place meant that adoptions from these countries had peaked. Vietnam, from which 182 adoptions into Ireland took place in 2007, closed to foreign adoptions in May 2009. There were 160 adoptions in 2007 from Russia, but this had already fallen to 117 in 2008.

With the passing of the Adoption Act 2010, Ireland ratified the Hague convention, and this had important implications for the number of adoptions in Ireland. Very significant efforts have been under way on the part of the Adoption Authority of Ireland - with strong support from myself and the Department - to promote co-operation. I visited Vietnam and Washington DC in relation to adoption matters. In both cases, we successfully concluded administrative agreements.

We have been working on bilateral agreements with Russia. We have made a proposal to the Russian authorities. We have done everything to encourage and support the development of a bilateral agreement that will work. We are awaiting a response in April from the Russian authorities.

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In the case of Vietnam, it was the first such agreement concluded with any country. The Adoption Authority is currently engaging with a number of Hague convention countries in relation to inter-country adoptions, including the central authority for India, which I visited last year, China, Thailand and the Philippines. Haiti is due to enter into the Hague convention next month and a delegation from the Adoption Authority is due to visit there next week.

It is important to recognise that although a country may be a member of the Hague group, legal and administrative obstacles may remain. There may be no children available for adoption or restrictions may be imposed on the categories of children or prospective adoptive parents qualifying. I am also aware that Ethiopia is currently seeking to bring its adoption standards up to those required under the Hague convention and I have asked the Adoption Authority to keep me updated on the position.

Russia has not ratified the Hague convention. However, my Department is continuing its discussion with the Russian authorities with a view to exploring the possibilities of establishing a bilateral agreement. I visited Russia last year to further these relations and my Department and the Adoption Authority subsequently hosted a visit from the Russian authorities.

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