Dáil debates

Thursday, 24 March 2022

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions

Registration of Births

9:20 am

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022 will not address this. Adopted people and their advocates have been calling for an inquiry for decades and the special rapporteur has unambiguously supported that. We need an inquiry straight away and nothing less; for too long people have had to settle for less. It should not be the case any more.

We need a full and proper inquiry that fulfils all the functions of a truth commission and the principles of transitional justice. That is what is being recommended. Responding to the "RTÉ Investigates" programme on illegal adoptions, Professor O'Mahony stated:

I am struck once more by the shattering impact that illegal birth registrations have had on the lives of those affected. We owe them everything that can realistically be done without further delay.

The vast majority of Irish people agree with this and it is disgraceful that the Government does not. State bodies and officials seem determined to prevent a full inquiry so will the Minister please do the right thing and set up the inquiry immediately?

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