Vol. 486 No. 1
609 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Health and Children when he intends to establish an adoption contact register; whether he intends to establish it on a non-statutory basis initially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2162/98]
At present, access to birth records by adopted persons is restricted under section 22 of the Adoption Act, 1952. Where circumstances permit, an adoption agency will do what it can to facilitate contact between adopted persons and birth relatives by mutual voluntary consent provided it is satisfied, through counselling, that both parties are fully cognisant of the considerations and implications involved in such a step.
As I have previously explained to the House, the establishment of a comprehensive legal framework for post-adoption contact between birth mothers and adopted persons and access to birth records is a priority. However, It would not be prudent to proceed with the necessary enabling legislation at present as there are a number of legal and constitutional issues awaiting clarification following the hearing of a Supreme Court case on 16 and 17 July 1997. Judgment in this case was reserved and is still awaited.
