Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will not delay proceedings any longer because we have a lot of amendments to get through. I welcome the Bill. I acknowledge the issues that many colleagues have raised with it, but it is an important first step. That is all it is. It addresses a very dark history in this country. For many years there were attempts to sweep that history under the carpet and pretend it never happened, but the people affected are alive, as are their sons, daughters and grandchildren. They deserve this information. They deserve to have their identities.

I have particular issues around the funding of Tusla. I would like the Minister to comment on how Tusla will operate. In a previous life I had a lot of interaction with Tusla and I know the good work it does, but in recent years there have been several problems in Tusla. There is chronic underfunding and understaffing. Making sure this operates correctly will be a major issue. I would also like to mention that further amendments are needed to deal with situations where incorrect birth details are registered. I have dealt with people who were wrongly given birth certificates that named their adopted parents. We need to address that. It is a very real issue.