Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 4

Written Answers. - International Agreements.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

195 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the international agreements under the auspices of his Department which, as of 1 June 1998, 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 it is proposed to sign each agreement or become a party to it. [13967/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

There are no international agreements under the auspices of my Department currently being negotiated or prepared. One agreement, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption was signed by Ireland on 19 June 1996 but has not been ratified. Before the convention can be ratified in Ireland, it will be necessary to give it the force of law in the State. This will involve making changes to the adoption Acts which contain the current procedures for the regulation of foreign adoptions.