Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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412. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 737 of 31 March 2021, if he has received and will publish the report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection which was due on 31 October 2021 following the publication of A Shadow Cast Long, the independent review report into incorrect birth registrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55923/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Independent Review into illegal birth registrations, published in March 2021, concluded that it is unlikely that a more comprehensive review of records would provide clear information relating to the existence of markers or wording suggestive of markers and the degree to which they may potentially be linked to incorrect birth registrations.

Following publication of this report, I asked Professor Conor O'Mahony, the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, to consider the very significant complexities and challenges, including the deep ethical issues, which arise in relation to the issue of illegal birth registrations, and to propose an appropriate course of action.

I have now received this report from the Special Rapporteur titled "Proposals for a state response to illegal birth registrations in Ireland". I am actively considering the report, its conclusions and recommendations, in advance of bringing it to Government and publishing it. I intend to engage with individuals affected by illegal birth registrations in relation to the report in due course.

In addition, I am committed to progressing the proposed Birth Information and Tracing legislation that enables the full release of birth certificates and other important origins information for adopted people and others, including those who are the subject of an illegal birth registration. This legislation also addresses the issue of correcting the birth registration of those who are the subject of an illegal birth registration, and providing them with certainty and clarity on matters relating to identity. I recently concluded a consultation process with the relevant individuals to help inform the proposed legislation.

That Birth information and Tracing Bill is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny with the relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee. I understand the Committee is nearing the end of its work in this regard, and I look forward to receiving the report of the pre-legislative scrutiny process. As Minister, I will then seek Government approval to publish the Bill and introduce it into the Oireachtas.