Call to change adoption law on access to birth parents

Irish law should be changed to allow adopted children direct and unrestricted access to their birth parents, according to Philomena Lee, the Irish woman whose life-long battle to find her son has galvanised a worldwide movement for adoption rights.

“The law has to be changed here,” said Ms Lee, speaking yesterday after addressing a conference on adoption at University College Cork.

“There should be open adoption. It’s about finding your identity, knowing where you came from, knowing who you are.”