Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am in Leinster House. I had not realised I had indicated to speak. I am a new member of this committee and I have not engaged with any our guests heretofore. I have been trying to read myself into the brief and I have found it to be almost a bottomless pit. The more I study the more I seem to need to know. I am grateful for the submissions given today by the witnesses, which I have studied briefly but will study in detail later. I join this committee with an open mind. I welcome information. I like the language that we would use in our daily intercourse to be kind and civil. I was very impressed by Christine Hennessy's remarks in that regard. I think I detected some form of confrontation or division. Some weeks ago, I listened in to an interview on related to this matter on "Newstalk" - it may have been "RTE Radio 1" - and I noted some of the women seemed to be upset that information was being demanded of them.

These were people who did not want any information to be shared with adopted children. It weighed on my mind and I thought a lot about this aspect. I can see that certain fears would exist in that regard. I do not think it is perhaps right to say that people are paranoid when they have a feeling of this kind. We are not talking about being harassed or anything like that. However, let us be reasonable about this as well. If there is a point of view there, then I suppose it must be expressed. Several organisations exist to advocate on behalf of adopted people seeking information and for their rights. I presume there is no such counter organisation, because the people involved would require anonymity, to give the point of view of those on the other side of the situation. Is there any advocate for the other point of view or is it all one-way traffic? I am not suggesting anything in saying that, I am just asking the question.

I listened closely to what Ms Hennessy said about giving guidance and therapy, or whatever it is. Could we hear a little bit more about that aspect in respect of the people who are not represented by most of our speakers? Those are all my questions. I must admit my ignorance. There is no point in my pretending that I know about this issue. I do not. I will have to study it much more closely. I can see where there are difficulties and I like to see difficulties ironed out in a non-confrontational way. I do not care what Government is in office, I always put my trust in it meaning well. I state that because a lack of communication may be going on here as well.