“Access to birth certificates an important first step”
At the March meeting of Louth County Council Sinn Féin Councillor Joanna Byrne tabled a motion recognising the upset and distress caused by the destruction of records by the Commission of Investigation into mother and Baby homes and called on the Minister for Children to publish without delay access to records legislation.
Councillor Byrne explained that the sentiments behind the motion were about recognising the need for survivors of mother and baby homes to have access to their own records.
“For far too long, adoptees have been denied the right to their own records” she said. “We, as a nation, have an opportunity to right an historic wrong by ensuring legislation becomes law that allows survivors of mother and baby homes access their records.
“Since tabling this motion I welcome that the Government now also accepts this and did not oppose my colleague Kathleen Funchion TD’s legislation before the Dáil last week.
“Having passed second stage, it will now go to committee for further scrutiny. It will be a momentous day to see this legislation progressing further and it is symbolic to survivors to see politicians across the political divide working together to ensure that this injustice against adoptees finally ends.”
Recognising the magnitude of hurt and pain those affected continue to suffer, Byrne went on to say “14th March was Mother’s day and whilst many of us were treasuring our much loved Mam’s, and some remembering their mams who have passed away, this day for survivors of mother and baby homes only re-opens painful wounds with many still not knowing their true identities.
“Passing this motion shows that Louth stands with survivors, … It acknowledges the struggles of those who have been campaigning so passionately and tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard and that those who have been adopted are no longer ignored by Governments in this Country.
“I am conscious that the right to access birth certificates will not solve all the challenges which survivors and adoptees face but it is an important first step and it will, in my view, lay the foundation for many other issues survivors seek resolutions on.”
Cllr Byrne’s motion was warmly received across the Council chamber.
Wording of the motion:
This council recognises the upset and distress that the destruction of records by the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby homes has caused to women, their families and their representative groups.
We feel that survivors have already waited far too long to access their records and call on the Minister for Children to publish without delay access to records legislation.
We also call on the Minister of Children to fully support Deputy Kathleen Funchion’s Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2021 to ensure that all adopted people are given unconditional access to their birth certificates.
