Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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6. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding an adoption agreement between Ireland and Russia; the concerns the authorities in Russia have raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35732/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Efforts are ongoing in my Department in relation to a bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption between Ireland and the Russian Federation. Following a meeting with a delegation of Russian officials in October 2013 my Department prepared revised draft wording on a number of specific points. This was forwarded to the Russian Authorities in February 2014. In transmitting these revisions it was suggested that should these revisions be acceptable to the Russian Federation, it would be useful for both sides to meet again for further discussions.

In April the Ministry of Education and Science advised the Irish Embassy in Moscow that all proposed adoption agreements were on hold while the Russian Government considered proposals in relation to how they deal with adoption agreements in general.

The Embassy has recently advised that a reply from the Russian authorities to my Department's revised wording is expected shortly. Once received it will be reviewed so that next steps can be taken.

I have recently met with Maria Hunt of the Russian Irish Adoption Group to update them on the current situation with regard to discussions on a possible bilateral adoption agreement with Russia.