Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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617. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the full inquiry into the scale of forced and illegal adoptions that occurred in Ireland as called for by Ms Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, the former UN special rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9982/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The recently published report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation makes it clear that unmarried mothers and their children lived in a hostile and uncaring environment in the period the report examined. As a result, many mothers effectively had little to no choice other than to put their baby up for adoption.

I am conscious that the Commission reviewed a major body of documentary evidence in this regard and that additional records or documentation may simply not exist, to support an effective revisiting of this matter by way of a further Commission or statutory inquiry.

It is accepted by all parties that, in the past, adoption was often a secretive practice, carried out without due regard to the rights of those involved. Such practice in adoption reflects wider societal prejudices of the time.

Today, the safeguards in the adoption acts ensure that the best interests of the child are the paramount consideration in all adoption cases, and in every step of the process. Modern day adoption legislation and practice also ensures that the rights of all involved are vindicated, including birth fathers, within the overarching framework of working for the best interests of the child involved.

I am very conscious that every record on adoption represents the lives of a number of individuals. There are major ethical issues at play where the reality, identity and family and legal relationships that people have lived their whole lives may be fundamentally undermined. I am also concerned that the records may simply not exist, to effectively revisit adoptions that have taken place.

From listening to survivors I believe that what is most important is access to birth certs and early life information for adoptees. Addressing this issue is a key part of the Government’s Action Plan in response to the Commission’s Report. It is a priority for myself, the Attorney and the Taoiseach.

My Department and I are engaging intensively with the Attorney General to find a solution to the issue of release of birth information, including birth certificates. Through this engagement with the Attorney, I am hopeful that we will have Heads of Bill by end March/ early April.

My priority is having an effective information and tracing service available so that any individual with a question about their origins is empowered to access their own records and supported by a robust statutory tracing service. This ensures that any investigations are at the request of an individual, rather than initiated by the State.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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618. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which illegally adopted persons will be considered for inclusion in any redress scheme to prevent further discrimination against this group further to the report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9983/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes has made clear recommendations in relation to redress on the basis of its extensive statutory investigations. Notably, the Commission recognises that redress can be financial or in the form of enhanced services. In the context of comparable previous redress arrangements, the Commission identifies a number of specific groups for whom it recommends redress might be considered.

The Government has made a very significant and early commitment to accept these recommendations and design a bespoke Restorative Recognition Scheme. I have now established an Interdepartmental Group on Restorative Recognition (IDG). Crucially, the Government agreed that the IDG would not be limited in examining solely the three criteria put forward by the Report as grounds for restorative recognition. The IDG held its first meeting on the 4 February and has been tasked with reporting back to me by the end of April to enable specific proposals to be brought to Government.

It has been asked to develop detailed proposals for a restorative recognition scheme. Its work must take account of the specific groups identified by the Commission but is not limited to those groups. Its work will be underpinned by a human rights focus and informed by strong stakeholder consultation and an understanding of lessons learned from the operation of previous schemes.

It is intended that the scheme will be designed as quickly as possible in 2021.

This is a hugely important process for all connected to these institutions and I will be working with colleagues and survivors to advance these matters as a priority.