John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 805: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if all of the appropriate agreements have been put in place to allow Irish families adopt children from Russia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26691/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Adoptions from Russia, 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). Under the provisions of the legislation, such adoptions may take place up to the end of October 2013.

As regards adoptions thereafter, Russia has not ratified the Hague Convention and there appears to be no immediate prospect that this will happen. Therefore, future adoptions from Russia, beyond those provided for under the transitional arrangements, may only be possible under a bi-lateral agreement. 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 comprised of representatives of the Adoption Authority and officials from my Department held exploratory meetings with the Russian authorities in December of last year. The delegation visited Russia in relation to preliminary discussions around the potential for a bilateral on intercountry adoption. This was a follow up to previous discussions which took place earlier in the year, on the initiative of the Russian authorities. I have received an initial assessment from the Adoption Authority. My Department is in discussions with the Adoption Authority on this assessment and other issues which will inform the next steps to be taken in relation to this matter. I am aware of the need to bring clarity to the situation in respect of Russia and I hope to be in a position to do so as quickly as possible.

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 806: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 24 April 2012, if the Adoption Authority of Ireland has completed its report into the assessment of the Ethiopian adoption situation following a visit by an AAI delegation to Addis Ababa recently; her views on the report; the next steps in the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26825/12]

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 808: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 671 of 24 April 2012, if the Adoption Authority of Ireland has completed its report on its assessment of the situation in Ethiopia regarding inter-country adoptions; the next steps that are to be taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26884/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 806 and 808 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. The Authority submitted its initial report which summarises the conclusions and recommendations of the delegation's visit on the 21st of May. In addition, the Embassy in Ethiopia recently submitted a detailed background note on intercountry adoption in Ethiopia, which officials in my Department are considering in conjunction with the AAI report. The AAI has stated that it is seeking further legal advice in Ethiopia on whether adoptions there are full or simple adoptions. The Authority indicated that it will contact me again once it has received this legal advice and has completed its consideration of the matter.

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 807: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 587 of 14 January 2012 and 234 of 28 April 2012, when a response will issue from the Adoption Authority of Ireland; the reason for the delay in the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26826/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I have arranged that correspondence, in relation to the issues raised, will issue to the Deputy in the coming days.