Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 584: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the countries which are open, closed or under review for the purposes of inter-country adoption. [3478/12]

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

The Adoption 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. Information relating to intercountry adoption from specific countries can be obtained from the Adoption Authority and is posted on the AAI website (www.aai.gov.ie).

With effect from 1 November 2010, intercountry adoptions can be effected with other countries which have ratified the Hague Convention or with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement. As the Hague Convention is designed to ensure a minimum set of standards in intercountry adoption, it is appropriate that the immediate priority for the Adoption Authority on reaching agreements on arrangements with other Hague countries. The AAI are in the process of developing administrative arrangements with a number of countries which are signatories to the Hague Convention, and with Vietnam which is due to ratify the Convention with effect from 1 February 2012.

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 ." Ireland currently has no bilateral agreements in respect of intercountry adoption. 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.