Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

There is a great deal of information in that response and I respect the Minister's bona fides on this issue but that said, and sincerely meant, there are inordinate delays in this process. Two years ago, in an answer to a parliamentary question, the Minister told me about the Sacred Heart files being transferred to Glanmire. She has now confirmed that there are another 11 institutions whose records have been transferred. There were over 42 mother and baby homes and there are tens of thousands of people whose identities are wrapped up in that information.

I gave the Taoiseach information a couple of weeks ago about somebody who had searched the files for decades and been frustrated in accessing that information but who was able to get it within ten days with the assistance of the Adoption Rights Alliance. Would the Minister consider enlisting the help of volunteers such as the alliance who have been pioneers in this situation? I also need to know where the legislation is in this regard because we have been too subservient to the 1998 court judgment about consent. We could be much more proactive in delivering some of that legislation.

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