Mr. Kiernan Gildea:

On Deputy Troy's question in regard to the High Court cases mentioned in yesterday's newspapers, the process identified in the High Court yesterday was a 16 year old process introduced by the Adoption Act 1998 which provides that where, in certain circumstances, the birth mother is unable, not in a position or refuses to identify the natural father, the consent of the High Court is required to dispense with notifying and consulting. Generally speaking, the consent of natural fathers is not required because they are not guardians. Where they are, we seek their consent. The cases mentioned yesterday were routine cases and that was the first occasion on which they had been reported on.

On Senator van Turnhout's questions, I will ask Ms Loftus to address the issue of the automatic right to assessment, the overturned HSE position and statistics and the possibility of a cut-off date for the release of information to certain parties.