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

Question 103: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the outcome of the meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam on 23 October 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39826/09]

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 Ministry 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 in at this point in time.

Deputy Prime Minister HoÀng Trung H?i recently led a trade mission to Ireland. I took this opportunity to meet again with Minister H?i whom I had met with during my July visit to Vietnam. The meeting took place on the 23rd October and 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.