Ms Maria Corbett:

The figures I have, from the Adoption Authority, are for 2013. Of the 116 adoptions that were completed, 86 involved step-parent adoptions. Perhaps we could get the Adoption Authority to confirm whether that is correct.

The Children's Rights Alliance warmly welcomes the Government's commitment to establish a commission of investigation into mother and baby homes. There is a clear need for the commission to examine the issue of adoption. From anecdotal evidence and initial reviews undertaken, it is likely that two issues will emerge. It appears that some adoptions may have been forced and were, therefore, unlawful in that the full and free consent of the birth mother was not secured. In other cases, it may have been that an adoption never actually took place but instead that the child's birth was unlawfully registered. Obviously, both scenarios raise serious concern and require full investigation. I acknowledge that this issue is under review but I wish to make the point that these issues really require public investigation.