Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I am aware of the situation described by Deputy Daly and of the calls by adopted persons for access to historical personal and family information. I completely agree with the Deputy that the files must be preserved intact. It is essential that those files are maintained in a safe and secure place. I agree with the Deputy that there should be one authority with overall responsibility for those files. I am aware of the radio interview to which Deputy Daly refers and in which I made the comment that people should be informed about access to information and that such information should be made available. However, historical issues need to be dealt with and these must be handled as sensitively and constructively as possible. A number of legal and constitutional issues arise as to balancing the rights of the adopted person to information as against the rights and in many cases, the expectations, of birth parents to privacy. We are examining those issues and progress has been made with regard to the Bill. The heads of the Bill are close to completion. I am hopeful that this legislation will be progressed fairly speedily. I understand the personal consequences for individuals of not having this legislation in place.

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