This afternoon.
The report into the state’s role in illegal adoptions by Prof Conor O’Mahony. the Government’s Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, has been published.
Via Belfast Telegraph:
The report concludes that the state was aware of the practice of illegal birth registration for decades before any serious action was taken to investigate the practice and mitigate its effects.
It also found that the action taken to date falls short of remedying the violation of the right to identity for many of those affected.
“The ad hoc, piecemeal and delayed reaction of the various state bodies to illegal birth registrations failed to discharge the state’s obligation to ensure accurate registration of births and to correct inaccurate registrations, and exacerbated the impact of the practice on affected individuals,” the report adds.
The report also states that the state should consider an apology to those who are affected by the practice of illegal birth registrations if it is requested.
“However, apologies carry little weight unless backed by practical measures to remedy the rights violation in question,” the report continues.
“As such, the state should implement measures aimed at the identification, so far as possible, of cases of illegal birth registration, informing individuals affected and correcting the register of births.”
State aware of illegal birth registration for decades, report finds (Belfast Telegraph)
Meanwhile…
…Holly Cairns TD, Social Democrats, Social Democrats Social Justice Spokesperson, said:
“The government will no doubt claim that the Birth Information and Tracing Bill, which is currently making its way through the Oireachtas, will address many of this report’s recommendations. This is simply untrue. Over the past two weeks, I have tabled and argued for over 300 amendments, based on engagements with human rights experts and survivors. Not a single amendment has been accepted by the Minister for Children.
“Adopted people have been denied access to their personal data for decades. They are therefore highly sceptical of the government’s assurance it is acting in their best interests. Dr. O’Mahony’s report provides a clear roadmap for action that must be followed immediately.
”
Earlier…
Irish newspaper ads for children in 1960s and 1970s
This morning.
A report to be published later today on the practice of illegal adoptions in Ireland will recommend the establishment of a State inquiry.
Via RTÉ News:
The report, by Prof Conor O’Mahony. the Government’s Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, will also advise that those affected by illegal birth registrations should receive a State apology.
Last year, following an RTÉ investigation that examined how thousands of Irish babies were illegally adopted over several decades, the Government commissioned the report to advise on next steps.
The report, which was seen by RTÉ Investigates, concludes the State was aware of the criminal offence of illegal birth registrations for many decades. Successive governments, it finds, repeatedly failed to adequately remedy these human rights violations.
It adds that inaction has exacerbated the impact on affected individuals and denied many the opportunity to connect with biological family members.
Meanwhile..,
It also calls for the Government to acquire and centralise all adoption files in one location, including files that are currently in private ownership.
This should be followed by a targeted investigation to determine the scale of illegal adoptions here and to inform those affected.
In response to Prof O’Mahony’s recommendations, RTÉ Investigates understands that the Government will concede a State apology should be forthcoming. It has also committed to a scheme of one-off payments of €3,000 to individuals affected by illegal birth registrations.
Report on illegal adoptions to recommend State inquiry (RTE)
Previously: Cherishing The Children Equally
