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

I thank the Senator for her comments. What we are doing is significant. The preservation steps we are taking in this legislation are similar to those taken in Northern Ireland approximately two years ago as regards wider institutional records. In Northern Ireland, that has already led to private record holders surrendering records to the state because they cannot maintain them to the standard expected. I anticipate that something similar will happen once we implement this. Under the National Archives Act, there is a facility whereby it can take receipt of private records. The same thing has happened since we passed the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022, with the ISPCC handing over to the Adoption Authority of Ireland a significant body of records. Some religious organisations have also handed records over. The steps we put in place under the 2022 legislation kick-started that process, and this Bill will continue to deliver that.

Regarding the 2022 Act, it is wonderful to hear the stories of people who have got genuine glimpses into or details about their early lives. We must recognise that there are still people who have not got that, but 11,000 people have now used the system and received information under the legislation. Some of them have received their birth certificates for the first time, others have found out their original names. The Act, which we discussed in great detail in the House, has had a very real meaning. More than 150 provided items have been handed over to people. These are items that were left. The Act has had real significance. It is important to recognise that we were able to make a significant change. I remember saying during the debate that, when I studied family law in university, this was the big barrier. Adopted people could not get their information and bridge that gap. We have been able to bridge it with significant success.