Legislative Measures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015

Tuesday, 22 September 2015

Questions (697)

Michael McGrath

Question:

697. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the proposals in the heads and General Scheme of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2015 will have any impact on the availability of birth certificates from the General Register Office, in view of the proposed statutory declaration requiring adopted persons to commit to not contacting their birth parents if they do not wish to be contacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30813/15]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2015 provides, that where an adoption was effected prior to the commencement of this Bill, the information required to apply for a Birth Certificate will be provided to an adopted person, when they have signed a statutory declaration agreeing to respect the privacy of their birth parent and not to contact their birth parent or ask anyone else to make contact on their behalf. There will be no requirement for an adopted person to sign a statutory declaration where birth parents have indicated a preference for contact, or consented to the release of the information or where it is established that the birth parents are deceased.

The Bill also provides that where an adoption is effected after the commencement of this Bill an adopted person will be entitled to their birth certificate once they are aged 18 or over.