Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I agree with the Deputy abut the importance of this issue. I completely share her views on the question of access to identity and having as much information as possible. We must have the strongest possible legislation to deal with this issue, although there are some constitutional challenges surrounding that.

I want to make it clear, however, that if there are bodies out there holding private information on adoption, that material can be transferred to the HSE which will take charge of it. The HSE will preserve it and the Adoption Authority will have oversight. Those records will be kept in a safe place.

If nobody comes forward who has those records, clearly that is a difficulty. It may be that in the forthcoming tracing legislation we can find a way of addressing some of those aspects. I am in discussions with the Attorney General about how this area could be incorporated into the tracing Bill.

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