Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if this application will be processed promptly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22963/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It remains my intention to assist 20 named applicants to complete intercountry adoptions in respect of children from Vietnam on an exceptional basis and insofar as it is practicable in law. In communicating the decision to suspend the bilateral negotiations the Irish Government asked the Vietnamese Government whether it will be possible to proceed with these adoptions. The Vietnamese response was not definitive. The Government is attempting to put in place a mechanism in respect of these 20 applicants that safeguards against recent concerns raised in relation to intercountry adoption in Vietnam.

In response to recent concerns that Vietnam may be considering a suspension of intercountry adoptions prior to the ratification of the Hague Convention, our Embassy in Vietnam clarified the position with officials of the Ministry of Justice in Vietnam. The Vietnamese authorities have advised that no suspension is planned.