Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

New arrangements can be put in place, which is why extra staff have been allocated. Obviously, there are many demands on the Child and Family Agency and this is one of many. I have, however, identified it as an important priority area because the needs of those seeking adoption information are important. There has not been enough focus up to now on bringing the records together. It is an urgent task to have them brought together and made accessible.

The focus of my approach has been on examining how far the legislation can go within the constitutional parameters, meaning that my focus has not been on constitutional change. I have been seeking to clarify how much can be contained in the legislation. I have already given a lot of detail to the House today on the range of areas in which information can be provided. I believe information can be provided where the birth mother has given consent or is deceased. In cases in which the birth mother cannot be traced, it might be possible for information to be given. Non-identifying information which would not infringe on the privacy of the relevant person may be provided, subject to the requirement that the person be consulted. Information could be provided in exceptional or compelling circumstances through an application to the High Court. I want the health committee to examine how wide the legislation can be in making information more accessible. The proposed legislation could do a lot in improving the current position.

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