Adoption Legislation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 September 2019

Tuesday, 17 September 2019

Questions (599)

Joan Burton

Question:

599. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has received counsel from the European Commission in respect of refusing to give identifying information in respect of birth parents to adopted persons that are tracing; her views on whether adopted persons should have access to all of their own information and the full details included on all files in public records relating to their birth, care and adoption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37159/19]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

My Department has not received counsel from the European Commission in relation to the provisions of the Adoption (Information & Tracing) Bill 2016.

I have put on record my personal commitment to the greatest possible release of birth information consistent with the constitutional framework. I am aware of the adverse impact that GDPR is having on Tusla's ability to locate individuals for the purposes of information and tracing. The current difficulties arise because of the absence of a robust statutory basis for sharing of information in the context of information and tracing. I will actively be seeking to address these issues in the Adoption (Information & Tracing) Bill 2016.