'I couldn’t believe it when he said, ‘I think you’re adopted’'

Carmel Lawlor discovered she was seven weeks older than she had thought and that her original name was Mary.

The Birth Information and Tracing legislation, which comes into effect on Monday, will allow for greater access to personal information for people who were adopted, subject to illegal birth registration, boarded out, or born in a mother and baby home institution, and who are seeking to learn about their early life.

The legislation will provide a full and clear right of access to birth certificates, birth and early life information, and will see the establishment of a tracing service, as well as making available counselling and support services.