Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the most recent occasion that his Department held a meeting with the Russian Embassy regarding inter-country adoption. [32470/15]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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100. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the outcome of the last meeting his Department held with the Russian Embassy regarding inter-country adoption; and the strategy to advance same. [32471/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.

The Adoption Act 2010 provides for adoption of children into Ireland from countries that have signed and ratified the Hague Convention and from countries where a bilateral agreement on adoption is in place. The Hague Convention is a landmark in regard to inter-country adoption and provides an international architecture that prioritises the best interests of children.

While it has signed the Convention, the Russian Federation has not ratified the treaty. This has prevented recent adoptions from Russia into Ireland. Over the last number of years efforts have been ongoing to try and reach a bilateral agreement with the Russian Federation on inter-country adoption.

Since its establishment, my department has carried forward this work but significant issues remain in the way of an agreement. For example the Irish Constitution is very clear on the integrity of the family unit here and Russian requirements for post placement reports on adopted children pose a difficulty in that regard.

My department has been working with the Irish Embassy in Moscow in seeking progress towards a bilateral.

In 2013 officials from the Russian Federation travelled to Ireland for a meeting. Officials from my department had considered going to Russia earlier this year., however this meeting was deferred. The Irish Embassy in Moscow has been assisting in liaising with the Ministry of Education and Science, which is the responsible department in Russia.

I recently met with the Russian Irish Adoption Group to advise them on the current situation. Members of the group have adopted Russian children in the past, prior to the current arrangements, and many seek to adopt a sibling also from Russia. At the meeting I was deeply conscious of this reality and members of the RIAG gave a powerful presentation of the sensitivities involved.

I and my department take the view that it is essential to give clear, frank information about the likely time scale potentially involved in trying to secure an agreement with the Russian Federation. Families must have an accurate assessment of the time scales involved in order to allow fully informed decision making. I advised the RIAG representatives that in practical terms, even in the event of bilateral being finalised , it could take a further couple of years before adoptions with Russia could take place.

My Department is engaged in an extensive work programme across a wide range of issues with a clear central theme; to work in the very best interests of children and young people, protecting and enhancing their lives. The issue of the negotiation of a bilateral agreement with Russia must be considered in the context of the overall priorities of the Department in relation to adoption and the general focus of Ireland in regard to countries of origin for Inter Country Adoption.

Work on the bilateral has not ceased and it remains the aim of the Department to finalise a bi-lateral agreement on inter-country adoption with the Russian Federation. However it will not be possible to finalise this agreement in the short-term.