Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 559: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding inter-country adoptions between Ireland and Ethiopia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35925/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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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." Ethiopia, as it is not a signatory of Hague, is 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 first priority is to reach agreements on arrangements with other Hague countries.