Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
315. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he expects to be in a position to meet the concerns of all concerned in the adoption history of Ireland with particular reference to illegal adoptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15670/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the degree to which he proposes to meet and address the concerns of the victims of illegal adoptions in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15671/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together.
Since taking office, I have been concerned with addressing the issues and concerns arising for people affected by illegal birth registration.
In January 2021, I established an Interdepartmental Group tasked with developing proposals to address the issues arising for people affected by the illegal birth registrations identified in the files of St. Patrick's Guild. The proposals developed by the group were reflected in the General Scheme of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill which I published in May 2021.
On publication of the General Scheme, I held a bespoke consultation with affected persons to obtain their views on the legislative proposals and, specifically, on the elements of the legislation which were designed specifically to address the particular issues arising on foot of their illegal birth registration. The responses to the consultation were very supportive of the proposals overall. I also recently made some further important amendments to the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022 that further respond to the concerns of affected persons.
In addition, in March 2021 I asked Professor Conor O’Mahony, the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, to consider the significant complexities and challenges which arise in relation to the issue of illegal birth registrations, and to provide a report proposing an appropriate course of action. On 14th March 2022, I published his report which sets out 17 numbered recommendations.
In reflecting on these recommendations, I am pleased to confirm that the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022 can and will robustly fulfil the vast majority of the recommendations. In particular, it will provide for access to records; access to counselling and related supports; access to a statutory tracing service, including genealogy expertise and facilitated contact with family; an accurate birth registration; official recognition of the identity by which a person has lived; a specialist tracing service; and safeguarding of records. In addition, I am happy to move forward on recommendation 16 regarding a payment towards legal costs associated with, for example, a declaration of parentage, and have announced a once-off payment of €3,000 to the individuals affected by confirmed illegal birth registration in the files of St. Patrick’s Guild.
