Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012
567. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update in relation to the development of a new bilateral agreement with Russia on adoption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56308/12]
View answerAs Russia has not ratified the Hague Convention future adoptions from Russia, beyond those provided for under the transitional arrangements, may only be possible under a bilateral agreement. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010.
It is the role of the Adoption Authority to make an assessment of whether the intercountry adoption legislation and practices in a non-contracting state, in this case Russia, are in compliance with both Irish legislation and the principles of the Hague Convention. As part of this assessment the Adoption Authority has reviewed a draft bilateral agreement presented to it during previous discussions with its Russian counterparts and has provided me with an initial assessment in this regard. I have asked the Adoption Authority to have further exploratory talks with the Russian authorities focusing on areas of concern in order that the Authority may progress its assessment of the situation and provide a definitive recommendation to me on the feasibility of formally opening discussion with the Russian Federation under Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010. The Adoption Authority, through the Irish Embassy in Moscow, have sought to meet the Russian authorities in this regard. The Russian authorities have indicated that they are not in a position to facilitate such a meeting until the first quarter of 2013. The Adoption Authority is following-up to secure an appropriate date.
