Imelda Henry (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill and congratulate Senator Power on the way in which she spoke, both today and previously, about her personal experience. That is to be commended. It is a difficult thing to do, so well done to her.

I will not repeat what people have stated, but Senator van Turnhout referred to the burning desire to know one's identity. This is considerable for someone who is adopted. Not many children are adopted these days. As such, we are referring to the past. Women gave up their babies for adoption for several reasons. Often, they did so out of shame and because of the term "fallen woman".

I wish to discuss the people who go through the process of finding their mothers only to find the latter do not want to meet them. This is difficult for any adoptee. In the past week, I was contacted by a lady who told me that, after 30 years, she had found her mother. She had one meeting with mother, who told her that no one knew about her. She has brothers and sisters, but her mother told her that she would not tell them about their sibling. That is shockingly sad. When discussing matters such as this Bill, it is important to remember those adoptees who will never find their mothers. The people with whom I have spoken tend to look for their mothers before their fathers.

I welcome the Bill and look forward to it being before the Oireachtas health committee. I am pleased that the Senators named on the Bill have introduced it. Since this is a sensitive issue, I do not want other matters brought into the discussion as happened today. We are discussing the past but seeking to move into the future. I hope we do so in a meaningful and, most of all, respectful way.