'Groundbreaking' legislation will give adopted people access to birth certs and early life information

Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman speaking at a briefing regarding the proposed legislation Image: Julien Behal Photography Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman speaking at a briefing regarding the proposed legislation Image: Julien Behal Photography Updated 19 minutes ago

Under the new law, if passed, even if a birth parent says they don’t want their child to get their birth cert or related information, the adopted person will still get access – a huge shift in the right to information versus right to privacy debate. Information relating to a birth relative which is relevant to the medical history or health of the applicant and is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest, will be released to the person’s nominated medical practitioner. In these circumstances, the information “shall not identify the birth parent or relative but only the fact of the medical condition/health issue being something which arises in the applicant’s birth family”.

“Where there is no contact preference, where the birth parents has clearly indicated a preference not for contact, the [adopted] individual will attend an information session and at that information session they will be told about their birth parents’ no contact preference, they will be told about their birth parents’ right to privacy and the importance of respecting privacy.

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The minister said the contact preference register that would be set up under the Bill will be different to, and more efficient than, the current contact register for adopted people as it would have a statutory footing and would allow Tusla and the Adoption Alliance of Ireland to share information. Under the new law, even if a birth parent says they don't want their child to get their birth cert or related info, the adopted person will still get access - a huge shift in the right to info vs privacy debate.O’Gorman said the proposed legislation takes account of the issues facing people who are the subject of an illegal birth registration.

Don't see what is groundbreaking about providing a fundamental right...

Bout time 👍

Not before time! I do hope the legislation is comprehensive.

Not before time. It's the least we can do.

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