Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Inter-Country Adoptions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Ceisteanna (958, 966)

Brian Walsh

Ceist:

958. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on progress regarding the possibility of entering into a bilateral adoption agreement with Ethiopia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47838/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

966. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the Ethiopian adoption issue and plans for the future of same. [48345/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 958 and 966 together.

Ethiopia is not a signatory of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. In these circumstances, future adoptions from Ethiopia would require a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Ethiopia. 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 which states that "the Authority, with the prior consent of the Minister, may enter into discussions with any non-contracting state concerning the possibility of the Government entering into a bilateral agreement with that State."

The Adoption Authority delegation visit to Ethiopia in April of this year was an initial part of the Authority's deliberations on the feasibility and suitability of entering into discussions with Ethiopia on a bilateral adoption agreement. The Authority is awaiting legal advice and will contact me once it has received this advice and completed its consideration of the matter. Once I have received the Authority's assessment I can then fully consider the appropriate next steps in this regard.

Barr
Roinn