Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Week after week we are being exposed to the horrors of very dark periods from our past that were either overseen or facilitated by several arms of the State that should have been protecting its citizens rather than treating them as disgracefully as it did. The adoption of children into loving, welcoming and caring homes in situations where all criteria set down by regulations are met and adoption is in the best interests of the birth parent or parents and the child should always be promoted and appreciated. The history of adoption in Ireland until recent years is tarnished by lies, cover-up and deceit. We are all now too aware of this history, and it has again come to the fore in recent weeks. We must ensure such nightmarish occurrences never happen again. It is my belief that to deny a person access to the very information that records their entry into this world is to deny them a very basic human right. Birth certificates were altered and disappeared, while in some cases they were destroyed. Children were taken illegally from parents. These actions were disgraceful and wrong in the extreme.

There are difficulties in striking a balance between the right to one's identity and an expectation of privacy. I know the Minister has demonstrated a deep interest in addressing these historic wrongs. Foremost in her consideration must be those people who have grown up not knowing their birth parents, with many having been told blatant lies. Everything that can be done to now right this wrong must be done to assist these people. The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 should be prioritised for the earliest possible through both the Seanad, where it is currently, and the Dáil. I welcome that the Minister referred to these false registrations as illegal birth registrations rather than incorrect birth registrations. My colleague also mentioned that point. Some people, including those in the media, have continued to refer to them as such even as recently as this week.

Everybody is entitled to the recording of both birth parents on a birth certificate, and if information not recorded at birth presents later in life and can be properly verified, the information should be added to the incomplete record so a new birth certificate can be issued accordingly.

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