Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support what Deputy Bacik is saying. I fundamentally disagree with the mandatory information session. Even setting it aside from the point of view of principles and what is right, from a practical point of view for the State, having this meeting in preference to a physical letter opens up a whole can of "he said, she said". We all know the idea of registered post is that if somebody signs for it, he or she has received it and if that person does not, it gets sent back. I do not think there is a responsibility on the State to ensure the person has taken in that information. Someone could go to a meeting and put his or her hands over his or her ears and not take in what has been said. If something is sent in a letter and somebody signs for it to say he or she has received it, surely the State's obligation in relation to privacy is fulfilled. No matter what way it is said, anything else will always be interpreted by people who are adopted as the State being distrustful and saying it knows best. It is very difficult for anyone to understand it in any other way. I feel very strongly on this. Deputy Bacik made a lot of good points and I support what she said.