Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 450: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether adoptions from Vietnam are secure; the grounds on which she allowed the bilateral agreement to lapse; the reason for her lack of communication with the relevant organisations and prospective adoptive parents; the action being taken to investigate previous adoptions if she does not consider adoptions from Vietnam to be secure; the further reason she is trying to secure 20 of the hundreds of applicants who are left in limbo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38220/09]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 455: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the state of negotiations to finalise a new draft bilateral inter-country adoption agreement between Ireland and the socialist Republic of Vietnam; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38238/09]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 474: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will confirm the position regarding the signing of a new bilateral agreement with Vietnam; his views on the contents of the two reports as per her last reply to this Deputy on the matter; when this matter will be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38352/09]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 540: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she raised the matter of the 228 outstanding applicants who applied before the 1 May 2009 deadline for Vietnamese adoptions, including the case of persons (details supplied) in County Westmeath, in her talks with the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, who was here between 21 and 24 October 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38744/09]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 548: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason she has postponed efforts to seek a new bilateral agreement with Vietnam until after receipt of the International Social Services report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38798/09]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 549: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date for intended receipt of the International Social Services report and the intended rationale in the pursuant decision whether to seek a new bilateral agreement with Vietnam for inter-country adoptions. [38799/09]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 550: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the most recent communication with the Vietnamese authorities in terms of the next steps in progressing a new bilateral agreement; and if the Vietnamese authorities are waiting for further communication from the Government in terms of attaining this agreement. [38800/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 450, 455, 474, 540 and 548 to 550, inclusive, together.

Adoptions entered in the Register of Foreign Adoptions by the Adoption Board are considered to be safe and secure. In August, I was made aware of two significant reports regarding child welfare, protection and adoption in Vietnam, namely the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) Report and the International Social Services (ISS) Report. My Office has received the MoLISA Report and the finalised version of the ISS Report is expected to be received in November. I will be considering these two reports jointly and will not be taking further decisions until I have done so.

It was a matter of particular concern that 20 cases had applications completed and lodged with the Vietnamese side but had not received referrals by the 1 May deadline and could not therefore proceed. During my subsequent private visit to Vietnam, I requested the Vietnamese Government to give consideration to processing these 20 applications which were on hand in the Department of International Adoptions in Hanoi. In light of our continuing positive dialogue regarding a future adoption agreement between the two countries, the Vietnamese side acceded to this request.

I met the Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister, Hoang Trung Hai, on 23 October to discuss adoption matters in general. The Deputy Prime Minister was leading a trade mission to Europe. The meeting was most amicable and allowed both Governments to outline their current positions in relation to the bilateral agreement and legislative developments in each jurisdiction, including Hague Convention ratification. Both Governments restated their desire to achieve the highest standards in inter-country adoption and they committed to ongoing dialogue to advance these goals.

I have sought at all times to ensure that prospective adoptive parents are kept fully informed of the position with regard to adoptions from Vietnam. This has been done through meetings with relevant support groups, updates on the website of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and through the issuing of statements as and when developments have arisen. I will continue to ensure that this level of communication is maintained.