Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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I will speak to amendment No. 2. While my name is not on it, I believe it is an important amendment. The focus of the Bill, rightly, is on State agencies, including An Bord Uchtála, that placed people outside the State for adoption. However, there are many cases of adopted people who were placed illegally outside the State, outside of any official organisations. I have spoken to people to whom it has happened. They were born in Donegal and placed for adoption across the Border or vice versa. This series of amendments is trying to capture that within the legislation. The Minister might say it has already been captured, but I would like to hear that because adopted people want to hear it as well because it is important to them.

These amendments attempt to recognise that adoptions also took place outside the State. I believe they are worthwhile amendments.