Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Vice Chairman. The witnesses are welcome. I congratulate them on the report. It is an incredible body of work. There were almost 500 respondents, which is almost the same, if not equal, to the number of respondents involved in the report of the commission of investigation. A great deal of hard and decent work went into this report and I thank the witnesses for that.

I have two questions that follow on from those put by Senator Seery Kearney. Will the witnesses elaborate on the general data protection regulation, GDPR, issues outlined in the report? What can be done for adoptees to restore some faith in the agencies? I refer to those that have mistreated people. It is well accepted that there has been mistreatment of people who have used the services. There is a serious lack of trust as a result. What actions can be taken now to restore some faith in that regard for adoptees and for mothers to enable them to trust the system? What can be done to ensure that when they are going to get their records and their birth certificates that they feel they are in a safe place, as opposed to being criminalised by those on the opposite side of the table?

If amalgamation and a new agency are to happen, it will not be for the next few months. The legislation is a priority. My goal would be for a new agency as well. I agree with the witnesses on that. I do not believe that we are going to get it in the next few months, however. What can we do for Aitheantas in the meantime to restore people's faith?