Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The shocking revelations in recent days in respect of the extent of illegal adoptions carried out by the St. Patrick’s Guild adoption society, run by the Sisters of Charity, have rightly caused much anger and angst. Successive Governments have known about this and have failed to act despite reams of evidence. The situation persists that there is no statutory basis upon which people can access information relating to their identities and health records. The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016, which provides for a legal right of citizens to secure information about their adoptions and gives them statutory right to access their birth certificates, was mentioned yesterday. Sinn Féin supports the aims of the Bill but in its current from it has been subject to much criticism, including by the Adoption Rights Alliance. In the wake of the most recent controversy and even prior to it, there has been a commitment from all parties to progress the legislation. However, it needs to be done correctly. When will the Minister, Deputy Zappone, meet the various stakeholders and spokespersons to iron out the serious concerns that were raised so that this important legislation can be progressed?

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