Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in reaching agreement on a bilateral arrangement for inter-country adoption between Ireland and Vietnam; when she expects such an agreement to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26327/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy is no doubt aware, this matter has been on-going for many months now and dialogue with the Vietnamese Authorities is continuing.

At this juncture, all options, including an interim intercountry adoption agreement, are actively being pursued by the Government to allow for the conclusion of discussions on a strengthened bilateral agreement and to facilitate continuity of the strong and positive relationship between both jurisdictions. Many Deputies have sought guarantees and specific timeframes for the conclusion of a new agreement with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. However, it is not possible for me, or indeed any of my Government colleagues, either to give a timetable or anticipate when discussions on an 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. Officials of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs are in constant contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and with the Embassy on the ground in Hanoi. Furthermore, my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs was recently in direct contact with the Vietnamese authorities regarding the matter.

At present, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is visiting the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. An itinerary for this visit was compiled with the assistance of the Irish Embassy in Hanoi. The Minister will be issuing a statement on the visit upon his return from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The Government remains committed to concluding discussions on the text of the bilateral intercountry adoption agreement with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has explained, on numerous occasions, the reasons for the renegotiation of the existing agreement. The overriding policy objective is the protection of children. The aim of the Government is to provide the best possible assurances around international adoption and to improve standards for children and the families who apply to adopt from abroad in line with the commitment to ratify the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.