Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Will the Minister of State clarify the current status of the bilateral agreement with Vietnam? What is the situation on the post-placement reports that are apparently being requested by Russia and that have led to problems? Every Member of both Houses is receiving heart-breaking e-mails from families who feel that they are in limbo. They are waiting to see if the Government can conclude an agreement with Vietnam. The date of 1 May has passed and some parents have gone so far as to contact officials in Vietnam and ask the reason for the delay. They have been told by senior officials there that it is because of delays on this side.

There are clearly barriers to getting an agreement in place. It would be helpful at this stage if the Minister of State would explain or give us some information on what precisely is happening. I know he has had private meetings with some of the adoption agencies working in this area. There is huge concern, as I am sure the Minister of State is aware, in regard to whether agreement can be reached, what will happen to these families in the future and what will happen to people whose names have been accepted and who at this point do not know what will be the next step.

The Minister of State will note from the amendment that we are allowing for the possibility that we will continue to have in place bilateral agreements and the Hague Convention but that where adoption takes place from a third country in a manner compatible with this legislation, it will be legal and acceptable in this country. Obviously, it is not ideal. The Minister of State responded on this amendment on Committee Stage. Were he to provide the House with whatever information is available in respect of this situation this might allay some of the worries and concerns expressed.