Adoption Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 May 2010

Thursday, 6 May 2010

Ceisteanna (60)

Liz McManus

Ceist:

58 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the group of 20 couples who are in the process of adopting a child from Vietnam; the reason there has been a delay of one year to fulfil the commitment to process the applications of this group of 20 couples; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Vietnam will be closing all adoptions in June 2010; if she will act swiftly to ensure the successful resolution of these 20 applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18517/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)

It remains my intention to assist 20 named applicants to complete intercountry adoptions in respect of children from Vietnam on an exceptional basis and insofar as it is practicable in law. In communicating the decision to suspend the bilateral negotiations the Irish Government asked the Vietnamese Government whether it will be possible to proceed with these adoptions. The Vietnamese response was not definitive. The Government is attempting to put in place a mechanism in respect of these 20 applicants that safeguards against recent concerns raised in relation to intercountry adoption in Vietnam.

In response to recent concerns that Vietnam may be considering a suspension of intercountry adoptions prior to the ratification of the Hague Convention, our Embassy in Vietnam clarified the position with officials of the Ministry of Justice in Vietnam. The Vietnamese authorities have advised that no suspension is planned.