Averil Power (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators on all sides of the House who have worked with us on bringing this legislation forward. I sincerely appreciate it, both politically and personally. It is an issue that matters immensely to me. I am an adoptee myself and have been fortunate enough to find my natural mother, my half siblings and family. The Bill will not make any difference to me for that reason but it is such a privilege to be in a position to help other adoptees who have not been as fortunate and also the many natural mothers and some fathers who have been in contact with me urging us to bring forward this legislation. This Bill has the potential to make a massive difference to people's lives at no cost to the State and finally to give people some closure, some peace in their hearts and, for those who wish to do so, the ability to reconnect. I refer to people who were forced apart through forced adoptions in this country, where women had no choice whatsoever. They have been plagued by the hurt and pain of this for far too long.

We have done something fantastic here today. From the bottom of my heart I thank the Members on all sides of the House who have contributed to this debate. I thank the many people who sent us correspondence. Senator Norris pointed out the pile of e-mails and letters we have all received on this matter, even over the past few days. This is an issue that really does touch every family in the country in one way or another. It is an issue of profound importance and I thank everybody who has worked with us on this.

I urge the Minister to progress the Bill through the Dáil. All Stages have been passed in the Seanad. The Minister is still talking about the heads of another Bill but now has one that has the assent of this House and cross-party support. Nobody, at any stage of this debate, has spoken against it, which is quite remarkable. I am not sure I have attended any other Seanad debate in the past four years in which there has not been a single voice against the legislation under discussion.

The Minister now has the opportunity to proceed with this Bill in the Dáil and he will have control over it. He may table amendments in the other House to address any concerns he has. I will certainly be asking spokespersons about this. We will be looking to other groups also, not just the Fianna Fáil group. We will be asking all parties and Independents in the Dáil to work with the Minister on the legislation so it can proceed through that House in the same cross-party spirit in which it has been passed in this House. The Bill is now with the Minister and I ask him to please listen to the voices of adopted people, natural mothers and natural fathers who are looking to him to address this issue and finally be the Minister who will bring this through and give them some peace. He should please listen to them and go as far as he can with this Bill. It has just been passed in the Seanad and now only needs to be got through the Dáil. The Minister should please show the leadership and courage required to bring it through.