Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The Russians were being frustrated by a number of countries, including Ireland, and blacklisted them. However, I am aware that certain adoptions have taken place from Russia in recent months. In any case, I have met officials from the Russian Embassy to clarify what the Government can and must do to keep the door open with Russia, as many have adopted very happily from that country, including relatives of mine. However, because Russia is not a Hague Convention country, we must consider a bilateral agreement with it. This possibility is being actively considered. It formed part of the discussion I had with Russian Embassy officials. The Government is progressing the matter as much as possible within the constitutional limits of what it can do.