‘Groundhog day’ delays to adoption procedures

Adoption campaigners have slammed the Government’s repeated delays in offering basic tracing and information rights to adopted people and natural parents as "Groundhog Day".

Speaking at an international adoption tracing and information conference held by the Adoption Authority, Children’s Minister Dr James Reilly said legislation was being prepared and would be brought forward “as soon as possible”. Such legislation has been promised as a priority by every government since 1997. Dr Reilly’s predecessor, Frances Fitzgerald, had promised the legislation would be ready by the end of 2012.

Dr Reilly said the issue was “complex” and had to balance the rights of adopted people to know their identity with those of natural mothers not wishing to be contacted, but said that the Government was committed to legislating for tracing and information rights.