Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 481: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the countries that have ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption; the number of children that have been adopted from each of these countries for each of the past ten calendar years; if she will state the same for each of the countries that have not yet ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption; if she will confirm the countries with whom we have a bilateral agreement regarding inter country adoption; the countries that are currently under investigation by the Adoption Authority of Ireland with regard to creating a bilateral agreement; the expected timetable for these negotiations for each of these countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33200/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is responsible for matters relating to the formulation of adoption legislation, including Regulations, and public policy issues on adoption. The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) was established in November 2010. The Authority is an independent statutory body charged with implementing the Adoption Act, 2010. The Authority has responsibility for the direct operational implementation of legislation and Government policy.

The AAI have informed me that 88 Countries have ratified or acceded to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter country Adoption. Details of these countries are available on the HC website, www.hcch.net.

The Adoption Authority have informed me that the number of persons adopted into Ireland whose adoptions have been entered in the Register of Foreign Adoptions from 2001 to 2010 is as follows:

The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with non-contracting states is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010 which states that "the Authority with the prior consent of the Minister, may enter into discussions with any non contracting state concerning the possibility of the Government entering into a bilateral agreement with that State". Ireland currently has no bilateral agreements with non - Hague countries.

The Adoption Authority have indicated that their first priority is to reach agreements on arrangements with other Hague countries. The Authority has confirmed that delegations will shortly travel to Mexico and the United States to discuss possible administrative agreements under the Hague Convention. The Authority has also commenced a review of the adoption laws of Lithuania, Panama, Kenya and Kazakhstan as prospective countries for adoption into Ireland.

Furthermore, my Department is currently in discussions with the AAI on the appropriateness and feasibility of exploratory discussions with the Russian authorities concerning the possibility of the Government entering into a bilateral agreement with that State.

Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 482: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding negotiations of a bilateral agreement regarding inter-country adoption with Russia, Vietnam, and Ethiopia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33201/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is responsible for matters relating to the formulation of adoption legislation, including Regulations, and public policy issues on adoption.

The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) is an independent statutory body charged with implementing the Adoption Act, 2010. The Authority has responsibility for the direct operational implementation of legislation and Government policy.

Vietnam Section 72 of the Adoption Act 2010 states that the "the Authority may enter into administrative arrangements with any contracting state concerning the processing of applications ". The establishment of such administrative arrangements will be a matter for the AAI. Preliminary discussions have taken place regarding official visits and exchange of information between Ireland and Vietnam with a view to putting in place such administrative arrangements following Vietnam's ratification of the Hague Convention which is expected shortly.

Russia The negotiation of bilateral agreements on inter country adoption with non-contracting states is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010 which states that "the Authority with the prior consent of the Minister, may enter into discussions with any non contracting state concerning the possibility of the Government entering into a bilateral agreement with that State. The situation in relation to Russia is complex. My Department is currently in discussion with the AAI on the appropriateness and feasibility of exploratory discussions with the Russian authorities concerning the possibility of the Government entering into a bilateral agreement with that State.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia, as it is not a signatory of Hague, is also covered by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010. As the Hague Convention is designed to ensure a minimum set of standards in intercountry adoption, the Adoption Authority have indicated that their current priority is to reach agreements on arrangements with other Hague countries.