Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 75:

In page 43, line 24, after “to” to insert “subsection (5)and”.

This is an amendment to section 45. The section obliges a secondary information source to retain and maintain relevant records held. The amendment seeks to ensure clarity that the obligation on a secondary source to retain and maintain records should not interfere with any transfer or records anticipated under action 8 of the Government Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions or in accordance with that body's obligations under the National Archives Act 1986. This amendment is necessary to ensure accurate information sources are clear, and even though they are to retain records, this should not stop the transfer of records in line with other obligations.

As we know, we are developing this Bill as the fastest way to deliver full access to information for adopted people, those who were boarded out and those who were subject to illegal birth registrations. We have also made it clear we want to provide for a changed landscape in terms of the collation and availability of records generally. As we know, this was set out in the action plan in terms of the idea of a national records and memorial centre. That is the long-term goal, namely, for records to be available in a place where historians can inspect relevant records and individuals can inspect their own records and we have a space where we can memorialise and learn what happened in these institutions.

As Deputies know, since our discussions on Committee Stage we brought forward an additional announcement in terms of a national records and memorial centre. We have selected the site on Sean McDermott Street. We will also consider ways in which to make this more widely available online and, potentially, to support work elsewhere. The amendment recognises the two processes that are being put in place. We are allowing for immediate access to all information now, wherever that information is held, be it in Tusla, the Adoption Authority of Ireland or somewhere else. We have a long-term goal of collation. That speaks to an issue raised by Deputies in respect of concerns about Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland implementing this process. I have heard those concerns.

What we decide now does not bind us in the future. We know the fastest way to get access to information for persons who are elderly or who have waited a long time for information is to ensure they can get access to information through the sources that hold that information now. This is what the Bill provides for.

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