Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 186: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the bilateral agreement for adoptions from Vietnam; when this bilateral agreement will be agreed to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10353/09]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 188: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the renewal of the bilateral adoption agreement between Ireland and Vietnam. [10640/09]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 189: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the discussions that have taken place with regard to the renewal of the bilateral adoption agreement between Ireland and Vietnam which agreement is due to cease on 1 May 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10750/09]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 201: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if progress has been made towards concluding a renewal of the bilateral adoption agreement with Vietnam; if a draft agreement has been issued to Vietnam; if the agreement will be in place before the expiration of the existing agreement on 30 April 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9685/09]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 228: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position in respect of the bilateral agreement on adoptions from Vietnam; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that people proposing to adopt a child from Vietnam, and advanced in the process, have been left in an uncertain situation and are anxious to get clarity on her proposals. [10032/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 182, 186, 188, 189, 201 and 228 together.

The Adoption Bill 2009, which will give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, was published on Friday 23rd January.

Under the new legislation, prospective adoptive parents will be able to adopt from countries which have also ratified the Hague Convention, and countries with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement which meets Hague standards.

While it is true to say that our current Agreement with Vietnam is based on Hague principles, as part of the preparations for our new legislation we need to ensure that our Agreement reflects the Hague Convention as comprehensively as possible. A new Agreement allows the opportunity to elaborate and strengthen some existing provisions to meet the standards which will it is anticipated will be set in draft legislation. There have been considerable developments in intercountry adoption in Vietnam since the Agreement was signed 5 years ago. This progress also needs to be reflected in any new Agreement.

In December 2008, the Irish Government issued a formal request to the Vietnamese Authorities stating that we wish to enter into discussions immediately for the purpose of negotiating a new Agreement to follow on from the existing Agreement which will expire on 1 May 2009. The Vietnamese Authorities have responded positively to Ireland's request.

Ireland offered to provide the Vietnamese Authorities with the text of a draft agreement as a basis for negotiations. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a draft bilateral agreement for intercountry adoption was delivered on 6 March, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, to the Vietnamese Authorities for their consideration.

I would like to again reiterate my personal commitment and the commitment of the Government to conclude an agreement with Vietnam and, in this regard, a letter accompanying the draft agreement advised the Vietnamese Government of our willingness to travel to discuss the draft at the earliest opportunity.

As the Deputy will be aware, it is important to recognise that Ireland has a long and positive relationship with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and to also emphasise the need to respect the authority of that jurisdiction, having regard to the sensitive nature of discussions regarding intercountry adoption.

The work to prepare for and advise the Government on this issue and the implementation of Government's decisions is being given the highest priority. These are complex matters which require careful consideration. At all times, the Minister and the Government, and officials advising them, are guided by the need to respect and protect the best interests and rights of the child.