Vol. 553 No. 2
536 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the position and future plans to introduce regulations or legislation on the adoption contact register or at least formal access to medical records and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13389/02]
The draft heads and general scheme of the adoption information, post-adoption contact and associated issues Bill are currently with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting of the legislation. A wide consultation process was undertaken and involved adopted people, birth parents, adoptive parents and people working in adoption, especially tracing and reunion. The legislative proposals will give information rights, including access to birth certificates and personal information to adopted people. A voluntary contact register and other services, including a national search service are included in the proposals.
