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 and provides that services will be provided by Tusla. 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 passed Second Stage in Seanad Eireann in May 2017.

I am anxious to progress the Bill to ensure that adopted people and their families have access to as much information as possible without impinging on the constitutional rights of all involved. In this regard I intend to request the Chair of Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs for an opportunity to update the Committee on the progress of the Bill and any proposed amendment that Government may consider with a view to proceeding  to Committee Stage in the Seanad as soon as possible.