THE GOVERNMENT HOPES to restart adoptions from Vietnam in the near future, following a visit to the country by children’s minister Frances Fitzgerald.

The minister travelled to the country along with a delegation from the Adoption Authority of Ireland last week. It’s hoped the meetings could allow Irish couples to adopt Vietnamese children unable to find a suitable family in their home country, for the first time since 2010.

Speaking after her return, Minister Fitzgerald said: “I know that this is an issue of enormous interest to prospective adopters from Ireland.  My visit was very positive in furthering cooperation between our two countries on intercountry adoption.”

Since the Adoption Act came into force in 2010, Irish couples have been prevented from adopting Vietnamese children as the country has not yet signed up to the Hague Convention on the protection of children.

But it’s hoped Vietnam will ratify the convention on February 1. “This provides a basis on which to renew cooperation between Ireland and Vietnam on adoption,” Minister Fitzgerald said.

The Adoption Authority of Ireland also hailed progress made during the trip. “It has been a very positive and worthwhile visit to Vietnam,” AAI chair Geoffrey Shannon said. “I am pleased to state that there is consensus and a shared sense of purpose on the key issues relating to the safeguarding of the adoption process and the protection of children.”

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