Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding inter-country adoption, in particular such adoptions between Ireland and Vietnam; the status of the agreement between the two countries; the status of persons who had been on the list of adoption before the initial agreement was terminated; the position in this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15309/09]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15235/09]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date in effecting a new bilateral adoption agreement with Vietnam; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15300/09]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a delegation of officials from her Department will travel to Vietnam before the expiration on 1 May 2009 of the bilateral adoption agreement between Ireland and Vietnam to discuss the putting in place of a new bilateral agreement; when such a delegation will travel to Vietnam; if such a delegation will be accompanied by representatives from the Irish Adoption Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15511/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 239, 268, 285 and 301 together.

Ireland offered to provide the Vietnamese Authorities with the text of a draft agreement as a basis for negotiations. A draft Bi-lateral Agreement for Inter-country Adoption was delivered on 6 March, 2009, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, to the Vietnamese Authorities for their consideration. On 2 April, 2009, the Vietnamese Government invited a delegation from Ireland to visit Vietnam to discuss the provisions of the draft Bi-Lateral Agreement provided. The Irish delegation will travel to Hanoi on the week commencing on 20 April, 2009 (the earliest opportunity provided to meet with the relevant Vietnamese Ministries) for an intensive round of discussions on this draft Bi-lateral Agreement.

The delegation will be led by the Office of the Minister for Children who will be assisted in discussions by the Adoption Board. Channels for international discussions between Ireland and other jurisdictions are a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Discussions will be facilitated and guided locally by the Irish Embassy in Hanoi.

I would like to again reiterate my personal commitment, and the commitment of the Government, to conclude an agreement with Vietnam. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has a long and positive relationship with Vietnam, but I must also emphasise the need to respect the authority of that jurisdiction, having regard to the sensitive nature of discussions regarding inter-country adoption. The work to prepare for and advise the Government on this issue and the implementation of the Government's decisions is being given the highest priority. These are complex matters that 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.