I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 433 together.
Adoptions from Ethiopia, effected under the transitional arrangements provided for in the Adoption Act 2010, are ongoing and are currently being examined, and recognised, by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI). These transitional arrangements may lead to adoptions from Ethiopia taking place up to the end of October 2012. The Adoption Act 2010 also contains provision for a one year extension to declarations of eligibility and suitability to adopt which may lead to a one year extension to this date.
Ethiopia is not a signatory of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. In these circumstances, adoptions from Ethiopia which are not covered by the transitional arrangements referred to above would require a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Ethiopia. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on inter-country adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010. Any bilateral arrangements which might be entered into would be required by law to meet the minimum standards set out in the Hague Convention.
A delegation from the Adoption Authority visited Ethiopia in April and held exploratory meetings with the Ethiopian authorities regarding the system of adoption which operates in that country. The delegation, in the course of its visit, held preliminary discussions with the Ethiopian authorities around the potential for a bilateral agreement on inter-country adoption. The Authority submitted its initial report which summarises the conclusions and recommendations of the delegation's visit. In addition, the Embassy in Ethiopia recently submitted a detailed background note on inter-country adoption in Ethiopia. The AAI has stated that it is seeking further legal advice in Ethiopia on whether adoptions there are full or simple adoptions. At the time of making its initial report the Authority indicated that it would contact me again once it has received this legal advice and completed its consideration of the matter.
The Authority has recently confirmed to me that it will submit its further report on adoption in Ethiopia as soon as possible.
