Children's Committee to discuss data implications of the General Scheme of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2021

The meeting at 3pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House will be split into two sessions.

Session 1: Simon McGarr, Mc Garr Solicitors

                   Fred Logue, Principal of FP Logue Solicitors

Session 2: Representatives from Data Protection Commission, Dale Sunderland, Deputy Commissioner, and David Murphy, Assistant Commissioner.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Kathleen Funchion said: “Today we will hear from two solicitors with vast experience and knowledge of data protection to discuss the GDPR impact on the Bill.”

“This is set to be the last time the Committee engages in pre legislative scrutiny of this Bill.

“The Committee has engaged with a vast variety of stakeholders from surviving mothers, adoptees, academics and GDPR experts.”

 “We look forward to discussing the Heads of the Bill with these key stakeholders as we continue to prioritise the process of bringing justice and closure for survivors of Mother and Baby Homes.”

“In its previous submissions to the Committee, the Data Protection Commissioner highlighted the importance of clear guidelines detailing how the legislation is intended to operate to provide clarity and certainty to the various bodies such as the Adoption Authority of Ireland, TUSLA, and various other stipulated organisations that will act as Data Controllers for the purposes of the legislation. The Committee looks forward to hearing from representatives from the DPC again tomorrow regarding their views on the Bill.”

The purpose of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2021 is to enshrine into law the importance of an individual knowing their origins. The Bill proposes a right to access birth certificates, birth and early life information for people who have questions in relation to their origins, and also all people who were adopted, boarded out, the subject of an illegal birth and others with questions in relation to their identity. The legislation also proposes the establishment of a comprehensive Tracing Service and a statutory Contact Preference Register to support people wishing to make contact or share information.

It is important to note that the Committee is assessing the proposed legislation which is currently before it and not any other document.

The Joint Committee on Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 4 can be viewed live on Oireachtas.ie.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.