The Irish Adoption Authority have visited Vietnam to address the suspension of adoptions.
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.
They have travelled there to assess current standards in their ratification of the Hague Convention.
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, TD, has welcomed the visit of the Adoption Authority to Vietnam.
'I am pleased that Vietnam has signed the Hague Convention, but I recognise the body of work that still needs to be done to protect children and fully ratify the Convention.'
The Minister continued, 'I understand the concerns of prospective adoptive parents who are anxiously waiting for news on this issue. '
'We hope this visit will provide further clarity on the current situation in Vietnam.'
The Minister and the Authority agreed that, in view of the fact that Vietnam hopes to ratify the Hague Convention in June, it would be appropriate for the Authority to visit Vietnam.
