Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the witnesses for appearing before the committee today and for their opening statements and submissions. We all share a wish to address issues raised in the current general scheme of the birth information and tracing Bill in the interests of those who are most affected.

In my experience of this committee's engagement with the mother and baby home survivors, it is clearly stated that the right to truth is of the utmost importance and that "free and unfettered access to their own personal information and records is essential for survivors."

I will start with a question for Ms Coughlan. From her own experience, how important is the full release of information for adopted persons? In their opening statements, both our witnesses made reference to counselling assistance. Could Ms Harrison perhaps elaborate on how these supports could be availed of if they wished to access them? In her conclusion, Ms Thornton noted that fathers were also denied the right to be named on birth certificates. Perhaps she can give us an example of this.