Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too compliment Deputy Funchion and Sinn Féin for bringing forward this badly needed amending legislation. I wish the Minister well. He is open-minded and fair-minded regarding this, in spite of what has gone on in the past six months.

I compliment RTÉ - I do not do so often - and the "RTÉ Investigates" programme for the brilliant exposure it did in bringing it out in the open and the facts being laid bare to people of what went on. It was horrific what happened.

Obviously, there are two sets of rights here to be protected - the birth mothers and the individuals who were adopted, most of them against the will of their mother back in the time. We are in the modern era now. We must catch up with the other European countries. Northern Ireland and England have dealt with this issue, and dealt with it properly. It is so vital that we move forward with legislation.

I note Deputy Tóibín's critique of officialdom. If there is any semblance of truth in that, that they are dragging their feet it needs to be addressed. Elected politicians have to come in here and be accountable to the Opposition and to the public, and the public decide our fate in the next election. If people, faceless bureaucrats, are in any way holding this up or delaying it it needs to be addressed. We know that they were involved over the years. There was a plethora of official Ireland involved and all the aspects were covered up in every sector. Families, as well, have to take the blame, but now it is time to wash the linen and allow the people the right to know. It is so important for health reasons. It is so important if they have children and for themselves as well.

I know there are two sets of rights to be protected and we must strike the right balance. This Bill is measured in that way. Sinn Féin is to be complimented. It is important that we support it. We in the Rural Independents support the Bill. I hope the Government will embrace it and will be able to have legislation brought in quite soon. It is so badly needed and it is so much delayed.

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