Gerard Murphy
Question:255 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is possible for Irish persons to adopt children from Vietnam; and if there is a bilateral agreement between the two countries. [16312/04]
View answerTuesday, 1 June 2004
Questions (236)
Written answers
During 2002 the Vietnamese authorities decided that, from the end of 2002, adoptions would be allowed only to countries with which a bilateral agreement was in place. Accordingly, in March 2003, I contacted the Irish ambassador, and a delegation headed by the ambassador to Malaysia and Vietnam negotiated a bilateral agreement on inter-country adoption. Both Ireland and Vietnam have signed and ratified the agreement.
The practical operation of the agreement is a matter for the Adoption Board. The board has informed me that, following an interview process, it nominated an individual to act as an authorised person under the agreement. The board is now awaiting approval of the authorised person from the Vietnamese authorities.