Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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319. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding introducing legislation whereby adopted persons can have full access to their adoption files after a reasonable period which may provide information regarding their birth parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2439/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 provides for the first time a statutory entitlement to identity information for adopted persons. It provides for a structured and regulated access to information and tracing services for those affected by adoption. It sets out the information that can be provided  and the circumstances in which it can be provided to adopted persons. A key provision in the Bill provides that an adopted person aged 18 years or over who was adopted prior to commencement of the Bill will be provided with the information required to apply for his or her birth certificate, subject to certain conditions.  The Bill also provides for access to relevant records containing the information concerned that are held by the Authority. The Bill passed Second Stage in Seanad Eireann in May 2017. The Bill is a priority and will proceed to Committee Stage in the Seanad as soon as possible.