Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Shannon for his comprehensive presentation. I wish to touch on one issue, namely, illegal adoptions and whether we have any real idea of the numbers involved. I understand the number of legal adoptions between 1953 and 2014 is greater than 44,000. Unfortunately, I was obliged to deal with one such illegal adoption case a number of years ago, in respect of which I spent four days in the High Court. Can progress be made in trying to facilitate people? While I acknowledge the Bill makes certain provisions, is enough being done in this area to help people? I refer in particular to tracing and trying to go back over records in the various hospitals or facilities in which the births occurred. Is there a proposal to consider this in a more comprehensive manner? I understand what has been done has been piecemeal and very little assistance is available in real terms. What is Dr. Shannon's view in this regard?