Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 570: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she expects to receive the report from the Adoption Authority following the delegation's visit to Ethiopia in early April; and when she expects to conclude a bilateral agreement between the Irish and Ethiopian authorities in order that adoptions from Ethiopia can commence. [24922/12]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 592: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she expects to receive the report from the Adoption Authority following the visit to Ethiopia. [25685/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 570 and 592 together. Adoptions from Ethiopia, effected under the transitional arrangements provided for in the Adoption Act 2010, are ongoing and are currently being examined, and recognised, by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI). These transitional arrangements may lead to adoptions from Ethiopia taking place up to the end of October 2012. The Adoption Act 2010 also contains provision for a one year extension to declarations of eligibility and suitability to adopt which may lead to a one year extension to this date. Ethiopia is not a signatory of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. In these circumstances, adoptions from Ethiopia which are not covered by the transitional arrangements referred to above would require a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Ethiopia. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention 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." Any bilateral arrangements which might be entered into would be required by law to meet the minimum standards set out in the Hague Convention.

A delegation from the Adoption Authority visited Ethiopia in April and held exploratory meetings with the Ethiopian authorities regarding the system of adoption which operates in that country. The delegation, in the course of its visit, held preliminary discussions with the Ethiopian authorities around the potential for a bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption. Yesterday, 21st May, I received a Report from the Authority summarising the conclusions and recommendations of the delegation's visit. While this is now being considered in my Department, the AAI has stated that it has decided to seek further legal advice in Ethiopia on whether adoptions there are full or simple adoptions. The Authority has further stated that it will contact me again once it has received the legal advice referred to and completed its consideration of the matter.

I have also been advised that the Authority has decided to post an advisory on its website in relation to the visit to Ethiopia.