Ms Noreen Leahy:

The Department will work with Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland to establish what resources are required. We are aware that resources are required and our discussions with Tusla have already commenced as part of the Estimates process.

The awareness campaign will get under way as soon as the legislation is commenced and it will run for a period of one year. The reason for the one-year period is to ensure that everybody is made aware of the Bill's provisions. During that time an adopted person can still apply for and get his or her birth certificate, and it can be provided once there is consent or the birth parent is deceased. The awareness campaign is part of a package to secure the rights of all involved.

Senator Burke mentioned the registration of maternity hospitals, but that is not a matter for our Department and I would not be able to comment on that.