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

Question 231: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she expects the Adoption Bill 2009 to be enacted; and if she will ensure that a bilateral intercountry adoption agreement is in place with both Russia and Vietnam prior to the enactment of the Bill. [24914/09]

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

The Adoption Bill, 2009, was initiated in the Seanad and is has recently passed all stages in that House. The Bill will continue to be prioritised by Government for its passage through the Oireachtas.

I have reported in detail to both Houses on the situation regarding a bilateral agreement with Vietnam in recent weeks. It is not possible for me to either give a timetable or anticipate when discussions on the agreement will be finalised. Discussions on a new bilateral agreement remain live and the request regarding the negotiation of an interim arrangement has been made. It is now a matter for the Vietnamese authorities and, as such, it would be improper for the Government to seek to influence or interfere with this decision-making process.

My Office has been working actively to assess the possibilities of entering into bi-lateral agreements with a small numbers of countries from which Irish applicants have traditionally adopted, including the Russian Federation. Work in relation to the Russian Federation has been ongoing for some time. This has included contacts with the Irish Embassy in Moscow and legal and other preparatory work on the possibility of a draft Inter-Country Adoption Agreement between the two countries. A first formal meeting was arranged with the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs. This meeting of officials of the OMCYA and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ireland took place early last month. I will continue to advance this matter with the assistance of my colleague Minister Martin and of his officials in both Dublin and Moscow.

While every effort will be made to conclude a bi-lateral agreement in advance of any of the proposed changes in Irish law taking effect, it must be acknowledged that these matters will be determined to a considerable degree by the Government of the Russian Federation.