Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 January 2014
655. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to advance a bilateral agreement with Russia for the purposes of inter-country adoption; if she will expedite this work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4358/14]
View answer660. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to last year's delegation visit by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science here, if she has clarified with Russian officials the adoption process as many prospective adoptive parents are still waiting while some are giving up due to age or frustration; if she will provide an update on the adoption situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3979/14]
View answer661. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if officials from her Department have had contact recently with their counterparts in Russia on the matter of inter-country adoption between the respective countries, in particular the prospect of agreeing an appropriate bilateral arrangement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4030/14]
View answer666. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the bilateral adoption agreement with Russia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4176/14]
View answer667. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding negotiations between officials in her Department and their counterparts in Russia to conclude a bilateral agreement in respect of adoption between Ireland and Russia. [4179/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 655, 660, 661, 666 and 667 together.
Efforts are ongoing in my Department in relation to a bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption between Ireland and the Russian Federation. Following my invitation to the Russian Ministry of Education and Science in August 2013 , a delegation of Russian officials travelled to Ireland in October 2013 for discussions on a bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption between Ireland and the Russian Federation. The meeting of the 22nd October 2013 was very positive and detailed discussions took place between the Russian officials and officials from my Department, the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the HSE. At the meeting significant progress was made and my Department, in early November 2013, forwarded to the Russian side further detailed proposals based on the discussions which took place. My Department is at present preparing revised draft wording on a number of points which will be forwarded to the Russian Authorities shortly.
