Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 178: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the ongoing crisis in the area of inter-country adoption; if she will report on a recent meeting (details supplied) held with Vietnamese officials at which it was believed the matter would be discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39461/09]

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

As the Deputy is aware, my Office has been in negotiations with the Vietnamese Government regarding the drafting of a new bilateral inter-country adoption agreement for some time. I have clearly indicated my intention to await the finalisation of the International Social Services Report on inter-country Adoption in Vietnam before making final decisions regarding the next steps. I will be considering the Report along with the Report published in August by the Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. I anticipate the ISS report will be finalised this month. I will be communicating my decision at the earliest opportunity. I am extremely mindful of the difficult position many prospective adopters find themselves at this point in time.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai visited Ireland recently. I took the opportunity to meet again with Minister Hai whom I had met with during my July visit to Vietnam. The meeting took place on the 23rd October. Adoption matters were discussed. 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.