Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise two issues. The international spotlight is back on Ireland and, indeed, some notable thinkers in our community this week raised the issue of the 60,000 Irish people who went through forced adoptions and are seeking to find their original identities. This can only be described as a fundamental right. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, has promised for three years to introduce the adoption (tracing and information) Bill. When can we expect the Bill to come before the House?

Second, in light of the decision by the Minister of State with responsibility for planning, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to invoke section 31 of the Planning and Development Act and reject the proposal of the democratically elected members of Westmeath County Council in respect of wind energy policy on the grounds that it is contrary to the national guidelines, when will we find out what the national guidelines are so we can formulate a plan in that regard? There is great anxiety, worry and fear among the community in Westmeath about this issue. People are hearing one thing from the Government parties in the House and something totally different from members of the same parties on the council in Westmeath.

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