John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Callely for coming to the House to respond to this matter. I raise the issue of the bilateral agreement between Ireland and Vietnam in relation to foreign adoptions because it has been reported that existing arrangements will cease at the end of the month. Vietnam is changing from a province-based system to a centralised government-based system, with effect from 1 January next. The Vietnam-Irish adoption group, comprised of families who have adopted from Vietnam or who are in the process of doing so, is extremely concerned about the implications for its members during that transition period.

Adopting a child is one of the greatest acts of love anybody can undertake. In an era of changing family values, there is an onus on those of us in public life to do what we can to ensure that people who go down that road are facilitated, encouraged and supported by the institutions of State. A number of countries are in the process of negotiating bilateral agreements and there is uncertainty as to what will happen to families going through the existing process if our bilateral agreement is not put in place. It is clear that only citizens of a country having a bilateral agreement will be allowed to adopt from Vietnam once this new system comes into effect from 1 January. Accordingly, some questions need to be answered directly. Will existing arrangements be allowed to continue until a bilateral agreement is in place for applicants who have already lodged applications before the end of this year or will there be a vacuum in the process from January until a bilateral agreement is put in place?

I note from the Department of Health website in the UK, in relation to a query on the UK bilateral agreement, that the Vietnamese Government has indicated that if a country is willing to express an interest in setting up a bilateral agreement with Vietnam, it may consider continuing adoptions while that agreement is being established. In view of that statement, I believe there is an onus on us to outline clearly the procedures being followed in Ireland and the efforts being made to establish a bilateral agreement. I ask the Minister of State to clarify the current position with regard to the bilateral agreement between Vietnam and Ireland and to seek assurances from the Vietnamese authorities that existing arrangements will be allowed to continue until such an agreement is put in place.