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

The legislation passed in 2010 referred to adoptions with non-Hague countries, but the whole purpose of the change is to have adoptions with Hague countries. In fact, just this year the vast majority of adoptions are taking place from Hague countries, which is the right way. We want to have adoptions with countries which have signed up to the standards of the Hague convention. Having said that, the history in Ireland was of adopting from Russia, Ethiopia and Vietnam in particular. Vietnam has signed the Hague convention. In respect of Russia, completing a bilateral agreement with that country involves finding compatibility between our Constitution and the demands of that country, such as for post-placement visits, which is contrary to our Constitution. Once a child is adopted in Ireland, that is a very final legal situation for the new family.

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