Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 1

Written Answers. - International Agreements.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

184 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the international agreements under the aegis of his Department which currently have not been signed by the State and which it is proposed that the State should sign or become a party to; the international organisation, if any, responsible for the agreement in each case; the date and place each agreement was adopted or opened for signature; and when he will sign each agreement or become a party to it. [19772/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

There are no international agreements under the auspices of my Department which have not been signed and which it is proposed that the State should sign or become a party to.

The last such agreement was the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption which was signed by Ireland on 19 June 1996. Before the convention can be ratified by Ireland, it will be necessary to give it the force of law in the State. This will involve making major changes to the adoption Acts which contain the current procedures for the regulation and recognition of foreign adoptions.

In so far as international agreements currently being drafted or prepared are concerned, my Department has agreed a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia for temporary visitors. The agreement was signed on 12 September 1997 and will come into force early in 1998.