Sir, - The Council of Irish Adoption Agencies (CIAA) would like to clarify any misconceptions which may have arisen as a result of recent articles in the media regarding the release of original birth certificates. We are concerned that the hopes of adoptive persons seeking this information may have been raised.
While an application can be made to the Adoption Board to have such a request considered, these certificates are not made available automatically. We are also anxious to reassure birth mothers that this information is not released without their circumstances being considered.
Adoption agencies are willing to support any adopted person who wishes to obtain their original birth certificate. Those who wish to do so are advised to contact the Adoption Board or their agency can do this on their behalf. Rather than a recent change in practice, it has been for some years the policy of the Adoption Board to consider each application individually. A process is in place where enquiries are made to establish the circumstances of the birth mother and, if possible, her attitude to the release of this information. It is often the adoption agency who made the placement which will make these enquiries and discuss the implications with all the parties concerned. It is then up to the Adoption Board to consider each application on its individual merits. Apart from making an application to the High Court, the only legal provision for an adopted person to obtain their original birth certificate is under Section 22(5) of the Adoption Act 1952.
In the absence of legislation, adoption agencies have had the delicate task of balancing the need for adopted persons to know their original identity with the possible need of a birth mother for privacy. Following the Supreme Court ruling last year, we welcome recent steps taken by the Department of Health to formulate legislation which will embrace these principles. We are aware that this will be a very difficult task.
In recent years there has been a tremendous shift in adoption practice from secrecy to openness. Search and reunion services are now an integral part of the work of every adoption agency. Any constraints on the services we offer are due solely to the lack of resources. We are anxious that this issue will be addressed before the introduction of legislation. Our aim is to enable all parties seeking a reunion to have the best possible outcome. We feel that preparation is an essential part of this journey. It has been our experience that this can best be achieved by the use of a third party and adoption agencies are willing to act as intermediaries.
We encourage all birth relatives seeking a reunion to make contact with the agency which arranged the adoption. We would particularly like to hear from birth mothers, who are often difficult to locate, to establish their wishes regarding contact and the release of information. All agencies are already operating a Contact Register and will be aware if enquiries have already been made by a birth relative.
An information pack on Search and Reunion produced jointly by CIAA and Barnardo's is available from each adoption agency on request. CIAA is an umbrella organisation for all adoption agencies in Ireland. - Yours, etc., Hazel Douglas, Anne Beirne, Pat O'Dwyer,
PR Committee, Council of Irish Adoption Agencies, c/o 30 South Anne Street, Dublin 2.