Adoption Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2011

Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Ceisteanna (405)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

447 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the legislative proposals put forward by the Adoption Rights Alliance, including their recommendation to change current legislation to grant adopted persons automatic access to their birth certificates and all files, records, documents and papers on their origins, family histories and early care and medical records; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24442/11]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald)

The drafting of legislation with regard to Information and Tracing is a priority of mine and proposals such as those raised by the Adoption Alliance are being considered in the drafting process. The Heads of the Bill are currently being drafted, in consultation with the Adoption Authority. The aim is to provide for a structured and regulated way of providing access to information and contact for those affected by adoption. This is a complex area involving the balancing of rights and as such must be dealt with in a careful manner. I intend to take this legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas in due course.