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

A situation now exists whereby even when both parties forgo their rights, they cannot get access to the required information. Only six weeks ago, I met a lady who came over to visit her adopted son. Both parties are in regular contact with and visit each other but cannot get access to their records, despite both of them agreeing to forgo their rights and being willing to engage with each other.

What interim solution will be introduced to resolve this issue?

Many of the tens of thousands of people to whom I referred are already in contact with their biological mothers but still cannot secure access to their personal information. Nothing brings home this issue more profoundly than the recent revelations and reports concerning mother and baby homes. The State, if it is to acknowledge its past failings, must provide a comprehensive solution to this issue. As member of the Joint Committee on Health Children, I look forward to the proposed legislation coming before the committee. I ask the Minister to be more specific on the timeframe for the Bill, however, because many people believe the policy being pursued is one of "deny until death".

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