Time running out on Vietnamese adoptions

UNLESS a solution is found within a matter of weeks the processing of all international adoptions from Vietnam will halt on May 1.

For up to 300 Irish couples who are being assessed by the HSE for foreign adoption or, having completed the assessment are waiting to be assigned a child from Vietnam, this is their worst nightmare come true. Most parents spend up to four years being assessed by social workers for inter-country adoption suitability.

In recent weeks prospective adoptive parents were informed that the bilateral agreement between then minister for children, Brian Lenihan, will expire in May, and that the Irish Government was not extending it, but wanted to put a new agreement in place. A draft of this bilateral agreement was sent to Vietnam, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, earlier this month — less than two months before the old agreement is due to expire.

A spokeswoman for the Office of the Minister of Children said the Vietnamese were still examining the draft.

“While it is important to acknowledge that Ireland has a long and positive relationship with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the need to respect the authority of that jurisdiction, having regard to the sensitive nature of discussions regarding inter-country adoption, must also be recognised,” she said.

The Irish International Adoption Association said yesterday they didn’t want to comment on the situation but said they were hopeful it would be resolved shortly.

The Office for the Minister of Children has said that it wants to update the existing agreement to ensure that it reflects the Hague Convention as comprehensively as possible. It also said there had been “considerable developments” in intercountry adoption in Vietnam since 2004 and they want that progress reflected in any agreement.

“The work to prepare for and advise the Government on this issue, and the implementation of Government decisions, is being given the highest priority. These are complex matters which require careful consideration.

“At all times, the minister and the Government, and officials advising them, are guided by the need to respect and protect the best interests and rights of the child”.