Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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22. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the delay in enacting the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016. [37913/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 has passed Second Stage in the Seanad. As I am sure you know, the Bill seeks to respect the rights to identity and privacy, which sometimes conflict with one another.

Given the constitutional context, striking the balance between these rights is proving challenging. It is an important piece of legislation for many people. Attempts to introduce a Bill, as far back as 2001, have failed.

I am conscious of Deputies' interest in this important issue, and of our shared desire to move things forward. It is essential that the Bill progresses as quickly as possible, as it places the information and tracing service on a statutory footing for the first time.

It will also protect relevant records by bringing them into the custody of the Adoption Authority of Ireland, It will create offences for the concealment, destruction, mutilation or falsification of such records.

The Bill impacts on people who are the subject of illegal registrations, as well as adopted people. Officials are currently reviewing its provisions, in the light of the recent evidence emerging on illegal birth registrations, to ensure that it is robust in addressing this issue. If additional amendments to the Bill are required to ensure this, this can be addressed as the Bill goes through the Houses.

My intention is that the Bill will be enacted by the end of the year. I recently met with advocacy groups and my Oireachtas collegues which was informative and helpful. I intend to progress the Bill to Committee Stage in the Seanad as soon as possible.

I look forward to working with members of this House and of the Seanad so that all of us who wish to see this Bill implemented as soon as possible can work together to achieve this.