Vol. 484 No. 3
233 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on a recent visit to Romania by the Minister of State at his Department; and the progress, if any, which has been made to date to facilitate adoption by Irish couples of Romanian children. [22112/97]
Negotiations on the Romanian Adoption Agreement have recently been concluded. The terms of the agreement must now be approved by the Dáil as required under Article 29.5 of the Constitution. My Department has drafted a memorandum for Government on this issue and it is currently with the Department of Foreign Affairs for submission to Government by my colleague, Deputy David Andrews, Minister for Foreign Affairs. In view of the emotional sensitivities attaching to the adoption by Irish citizens of children from Romania, I have requested the Department of Foreign Affairs to process the matter as speedily as possible. I propose to travel to Romania after the terms of the agreement have been approved.
