Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the bilateral agreement between Ireland and Vietnam regarding adoptions which expires on 30 April 2009 will be renewed; and the situation in relation to same. [44289/08]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if it is her intention to renew the bilateral agreement for the purpose of adoption between Ireland and Vietnam which is due to expire at the end of April 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44099/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 161 together.

I advised Deputies on the 18th of November last that officials from my Office and the Adoption Board travelled to Vietnam in the previous week to commence discussions on the negotiation of a new bilateral agreement with Vietnam in light of the expiration of the current agreement in May 2009. A report on the visit has been completed and is currently under consideration. I will be discussing any next steps with my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the first instance.