Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 574: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding adoption (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3269/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Hague Convention website (www.hcch.net) sets out the position with regard to the countries which have ratified or acceded to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The Hague Convention is designed to ensure a minimum set of standards in intercountry adoption. The latest information indicates that Taiwan is not a signatory to the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

The immediate priority for the Adoption Authority of Ireland is to put in place administrative arrangements with other countries which have ratified the Convention, as provided for under the 2010 Act. In this context, the AAI are currently developing administrative arrangements with a number of Hague countries. Under the provisions of section 73 of the Adoption Act, 2010, "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 AAI have not sought my consent in relation to Taiwan to date.

The Authority and my officials held exploratory meetings with Russian authorities in December in relation to preliminary discussions around the potential for a bilateral on intercountry adoption with that State. In addition, I have recently given the AAI approval for the commencement of the process of examining the feasibility of a bilateral agreement with Ethiopia. The assessment of non-Hague countries and the possibility of entering discussions on a bilateral is complex and resource intensive. I am mindful that the Authority currently has a full work programme in terms of the countries which are signatories to the Hague Convention, and with Vietnam which is due to formally ratify the Convention with effect from 1 February 2012. I have to have regard to the resources available to the AAI and to my Department, and to the work priorities of both.