Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Section 15 covers the release of medical information. It is clear that it covers all elements of such information. When we undertake the information campaign about what material people can apply for under this legislation and particularly when we provide the documentation for people to make an application, we can make it clear what is set out under the categories. We will make it clear what medical information is. Where adopted people wish to get their medical information they will be able to see it. We will make it simple so that people can tick the boxes for medical information, birth certificate, birth information and care information.

There may be circumstances in which people do not wish to get all their information. This amendment ties medical information to release of other categories of information so that people do not have a choice. We should give adopted people the choice of what sort of information they apply for. In the vast majority of situations, adopted people will apply for all the categories of information but it is their decision and we should not tie the release of one sort of information to another, if it is not what they seek.