Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 January 2013
174. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date that has been set for Russian authorities to visit Dublin to conduct bilateral discussions; and if she will confirm the persons that will be attending these talks on behalf of the Adoption Authority of Ireland and from her Department. [4566/13]
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 of Ireland (AAI) 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 focussing 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 Russian authorities indicated that they are in a position to meet the AAI in the first quarter of this year. The Adoption Authority, through the Irish Embassy in Moscow, have confirmed their availability for this meeting. A response from the Russian authorities to the Adoption Authority is awaited. The issue of official attendance at the proposed meeting will be dealth with when the meeting has been scheduled.
