Tag Archives: 2016

Minster for Children Katherine Zappone

Yesterday evening.

Just after 5.30pm.

Minister for Children Katherine Zappone released a press statement saying the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill, 2016 will not allow for adoptees to automatically access their birth information.

In a footnote to editors, Ms Zappone’s press release states:

The Minister’s legal advice is that there must be some protection of birth parents’ constitutional right to privacy reflected in the legislation.

There are two rights at play, the right to identity and the right to privacy, and legislation must seek to harmonise these rights.

However, this advice is contrary to the desire of advocates for unrestricted access to identity information and to birth certificates.

In the accompanying press release, the minister is quoted as saying:

“I would like to sincerely thank those who have given me their views and opinions on this matter and who have supported me in my efforts to seek consensus to progress these matters.

“I am personally deeply disappointed that it has not proved possible to reach a consensus on the complex and emotive issue of the release of birth information and that this issue must be set aside for now.

I hope this can be progressed in the future, but my priority, for now, is to move forward with those issues on which there is general consensus.”

The press release can be read in full here

Previously: The Adoption Myth

‘To Ensure That It Can’t Be Found’

Related: “We Have The Right To Know The History Of Our Incarcerations”