Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the current policy in relation to adopted children receiving knowledge of their full birth family history, including medical history; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39393/06]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Current legislation severely restricts the type and amount of information that can be released from an adoption file. However, any medical or "non-identifying information" (i.e. information that does not specifically identify a third party or would allow that third party to be identified) that is contained in an adoption file will be released to the child's adoptive parents if requested.

If a need arises for specific medical information that is not contained in the file, the relevant adoption agency will also attempt to locate and make contact with members of the child's natural family in order to obtain such information. It should be noted that adopted adults can obtain their own medical and non-identifying information or request that the relevant adoption agency makes efforts to locate and make contact with members of the natural family in order to obtain personal or medical information.

It is also open to adopted adults to join the Adoption Boards National Adoption Contact Preference Register which facilitates contact and exchange of information between adopted adults and their natural families. Adopted adults may also apply to the Adoption Board for the release of their "original" birth certificate.