Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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This debate goes to the heart of what the Bill is about and is very important. The information campaign and the guidelines may well clarify the issues but in the section 2 definitions of "early life information" and "medical information" there is a clear overlap. It will be important, as we said in pre-legislative scrutiny, for adopted persons seeking to access records on early life information and medical information that the guidelines are accessible and that everyone seeking to apply for information would be clear on what was meant by early life information as distinct from medical information.

Early life information clearly covers medical information. The definition in section 2 includes "information on any medical treatments, procedures or vaccinations". As the Minister said, that would cover vaccine trials and information relating to his or her medical history. There is an overlap and medical information is included in early life information. It will be important that the information campaign and the guidelines make clear what is covered in each category and what people are applying for. There should be a box which somebody could simply tick for all of the information.