merrion street

Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald today asked the Chairman of the

to visit Vietnam to assess current standards in their ratification of the Hague Convention. 

The purpose of the visit is to explore the progress Vietnamese authorities have made in addressing the profound concerns which caused the suspension of adoptions.

The Minister met with the Chairman and the new CEO of the Adoption Authority, which was established in November. Ms Elizabeth Canavan was named the first CEO of the Authority, and Minister Fitzgerald congratulated her on the appointment.

Commenting today on the situation in Vietnam, the Minister said:

I am pleased that Vietnam has signed the Hague Convention, but recognise the significant body of work that still needs to be done to protect children and fully ratify the Convention. With this in mind, I have asked the Authority to visit Vietnam to assess current standards and provide me with a report so that we can give clairty to Irish people who are anxiously awaiting information on progress in Vietnam. I am delighted that the Authority has a CEO with such experience, which will be very helpful as it moves forward.