Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to introduce the Adoption (Information) Bill 2021 in conjunction with my colleague, Deputy Connolly.

I note the Private Members’ Bill of Deputy Funchion of Sinn Féin, which was debated earlier. I know the Government accepted it but this Bill needs to go in as well to keep the pressure on and make sure it is brought to a satisfactory conclusion. I note also Labour Senator Bacik's Bill in the Seanad.

It seems that many of us were moved to take action after listening to survivors. We are keeping this hugely important issue on the agenda. Late last year there was a huge show of public support and solidarity for survivors of mother and baby homes. Dr. Maeve O’Rourke, Ms Claire McGettrick and others from the Clann Project have been disparaged by some members of Government because of the power of survivors’ campaigns. One such campaign is #MyRecordsMyRight for adoptees to have access to their birth certificates and their files that were in possession of the now dissolved Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes.

This is a simple Bill but would mean so much to survivors. The purpose of the Adoption (Information) Bill 2021 is to provide unconditional access to birth certificates for adopted persons. The Bill amends section 86 of the Adoption Act 2010 so as to allow An tArd-Chláraitheoir to provide adopted persons with access to their entry in the index that makes traceable the connection between each entry in the adopted children register and the corresponding entry in the register of births.

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