Mark Duffy
Labour Panel · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I thank the Minister of State for being here on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley, and for her detailed reply. While it is disappointing to hear the news here, at least it provides clarity and certainty for the project promoters and, indeed, staff and various stakeholders involved, many of whom have been in touch with me and are really…”
“I call on Bord na Móna, which has powered the community down through the years but is at risk of dividing the community now, to step up and engage effectively with the community. It should not be using community volunteers as a front to push its own agenda.”
“We should not waste people's time or, indeed, taxpayers' money. The waste there of taxpayers' money resides in the fact that resources are going to be spent elsewhere to offer a medium-term solution, while the longer term solution has gone through the procurement, planning and design stages.”
“-----and acknowledge my sister, Councillor Marie-Thérèse Duffy, in the Visitors Gallery? I thank her for being here, for being willing to replace me on Mayo County Council last year and for her support to date. I appreciate it. I also appreciate the achievement of Mayo GAA, which has really united the county.”
“I acknowledge the community in Crossmolina. I attended a public meeting last night that was attended by over 200 people who are very dissatisfied with the proposals by Bord na Móna to build a route around the town of Crossmolina. Crossmolina has a vibrant, active community. There has been a lack of public consultation on this proposal.”
“I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, for being here to discuss this very important topic. I acknowledge the work the staff of Tusla do in County Mayo and across the country in very challenging circumstances and with very vulnerable people. They respond when others cannot and do not.”
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“I lend my support to a fellow Mayo native, Ms Margaret Loftus, who has shared her horrific story as a domestic abuse survivor. I highlight that Oireachtas Members will have an opportunity tomorrow in the audiovisual room to hear her story first hand, to hear about the harrowing experience she had and to see the bravery she now has in sharing her story so that other women do not experience what she has had to go through over the past number of years. I acknowledge Senator Tully and Deputy Conway-Walsh, who are hosting tomorrow's event in the audiovisual room. Ms Loftus, along with Ms Sarah Benson, the CEO of Women's Aid, will share the harrowing story of a failure in every element of the system for Ms Loftus and her story. The event will take place between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the audiovisual room.”
“This is something that can help mitigate that in certain ways. It has a cost on the quality of life of people. The impact for families cannot be overstated. I would like to lend my support to it and thank Senator Conway for his advocacy on it. We should not have a situation where people, because of their social background or perhaps deprivation in certain parts of society, are potentially on a more negative health course in their lives because they are unable to afford a vital option of a vaccine like this. It is that option for people to avail of. I would really welcome as much support from my own party and the Government generally to hopefully try to get a resolution on this. It is very worthwhile and will improve health outcomes and the quality of life for all our citizens, especially our most vulnerable.”
“It is only since I spoke on it and discussed it with Senator Conway and members of the community who have contacted me about it or people I have met who have unfortunately had shingles and experienced the debilitating nature of it that it has really brought home to me how important it is that we find a way to help realise this, especially for those who are vulnerable in our community and in our society. We have to think about the opportunity cost of not doing it. Can we afford not to do it considering how Senator Conway has outlined that every €1 invested is actually worth €23? I understand that from the point of view of the impact it has on health services in the State, especially at this time of year when we have high waiting lists and a lot of our medical practices or hospitals are overcrowded.”
“I thank the Minister of State for being here for this Private Members' motion. In particular, I thank Senator Conway for leading on it. I welcome all the guests in the Gallery who are here to listen to the debate. I raised this issue on the floor of the Seanad last year. Unbeknown to me, a day previous, Senator Conway had a Commencement matter on it. I raised it having been contacted by the Bonniconlon Irish Countrywomen's Association, ICA, group in my home county of Mayo whose members are very passionate about seeing this brought to pass.”
“I hope that some of these measures can address that. I would welcome public consultation on this matter or an opportunity for stakeholder engagement in order to allow those who have had difficult experiences to share them and to ensure that the interventions and proposals being put forward address the issues this man outlined. I would also welcome the further promotion of EPAs generally for individuals and couples whose health is not in decline but who will be prepared if, God forbid, that happens at some point down the line. That would be a very good measure for families in the context of their making plans for the future.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. The main point of me raising this issue is that it becomes as stress-free and easy to use as possible. I welcome the proposed measures in relation to additional supports later this year with the launch of the website and the one-stop-shop support. I would like to see as much public consultation and engagement as possible. The gentleman who put it on my radar has a lot to offer with his contribution and experience. He wants to share that experience so that no one has to suffer the arduous and emotive experience he did at a difficult time of his life, with additional stress, frustration and difficulty in the laborious process that is or at least was in place for him. He wants to make sure that does not happen for other people in the future.”
“The final point is to ensure the computer programme is adequate to the system requirements. It is a technical ask but only until you encounter it - I was not aware of it until this gentleman came to my office but it is something I want to lend my support to. He has got through the whole process and he shared with me so that others do not have to go through the difficult process he experienced. Like I said, he is very competent from a legal and literacy background but still found it incredibly difficult. I welcome the Minister of State's contribution.”
“Some of the recommended changes to the current system include opening the portal for the client's legal representative to make submissions on their behalf if requested and to ensure a medical capacity assessment is completed prior to the execution and not after that fact. Third is to ensure the legal terminology in the process is user-friendly and appropriate to the population using the portal, not just legal eagles, and ensuring response to all submissions is appropriate to the age and disability cohorts. In the example I am aware of, the man was between five and six months waiting for a response and then the response asked for more information. It was totally unacceptable. These are very time-limited scenarios when you are at a stage of life when your spouse is in declining health - you would expect priority and a strong response.”
“It is a very difficult and challenging part of their lives when their spouse is losing capacity to make decisions for themselves. There are plenty of issues with the system as it stands. There are suggestions I would like to bring to the floor today. One is to make it more user-friendly from a digital point of view. We should engage with Age Friendly Ireland and other agencies that can help inform decision-making. The second is some type of opt-out process so that everyone, on marriage, has power of attorney over their spouse but either one can opt out at any time. It is potentially a better way of circumventing this system as it is currently because there are huge difficulties with it.”
“He had to engage with enduring power of attorney to have power of attorney over the decisions of his wife, whom he has been caring for. This man is very accomplished and competent and has members of his family working in the law - capable people. To say the process of registering for power of attorney was difficult is an understatement. It was incredibly arduous and difficult, with technical jargon. One of the main challenges is that people who require the power of attorney are generally elderly. They grew up without any real use of computers in their generation. They did not have the use of technology we all enjoy and avail of today. They are expected to have impeccable digital literacy as well understanding complex legal jargon, which causes huge stress.”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Grealish, to Seanad Éireann this morning. The issue I wish to raise is in relation to the Decision Support Service, DSS, and the registration system for enduring power of attorney, EPA. It is quite a technical matter. It stems from a meeting I had with a constituent during a clinic late last year in my office in Ballina. The Minister of State will know that an EPA is a legal arrangement that can be set up by a person to allow someone they know and trust to look after their property and financial affairs or their personal welfare decisions or both if they lose the capacity to make those decisions in the future. They just register the EPA with the DSS. The challenge with the system as it currently is, in the example of the constituent I had in my office, sadly, his wife was diagnosed with dementia.”
“We should have supports in place for those industries in order that we can mitigate the short-term threat and have a sustainable long-term future for the sectors. I appreciate the Minister of State's engagement on it and look forward to hearing his reply.”
“As part of that task force being formed, it is important voices like theirs are heard, that is, both the inshore and the offshore sectors. Last week was a good example of the sector working together. I know they are sometimes pitted against each other and that is not a good place to be. We need to be constructive and acknowledge that the whole sector is under pressure. The best way to support it is by working together and making sure there is a package that supports and represents both the inshore and offshore sectors. There should also be separate supports for inshore fisheries like the River Moy and other rivers under pressure and threat and for the local economies, through the chambers of commerce, that are reliant on seasonal fishing tourists coming into the area, generally from France and Germany.”
“There are some constructive proposals like an EU LIFE project along the River Moy that can engage landowners and all stakeholders to make sure everything possible is done from an environmental point of view to make sure the practice of salmon fishing is sustainable and can be protected for future generations. People understand there are environmental challenges but there also need to be constructive ways of working with stakeholders like the Moy Action Group, the River Moy anglers association and the trusts along the River Moy. They all play a vital part, from a fishing heritage point of view and from the ecological, biodiversity and tourism impacts they have. I also acknowledge the Erris inshore fisheries, with whom I have been engaging.”
“He will have our full support on whatever he needs to fight to make sure there are sufficient financial supports available for what he wants to achieve. I turn to inland fisheries and the threats to different waterways like the River Moy in my county of Mayo. Again, it is something the Minister of State is aware of, and I would really appreciate if he would meet with the Moy Action Group, which formed in a constructive way following the public meeting held in Ballina, where the proposal that has gone through public consultation is to reduce the catching number of salmon to 1,044.”
“Last week, along with Senators Boyle and O'Donovan, I hosted a future of fishing discussion in the audiovisual room. We had approximately 30 Members of the Oireachtas from across all parties supporting the offshore and inshore fisheries sectors in this stark time. The message is clear that there are huge vulnerabilities in that sector. It is a seminal moment for the sector and in the coming years difficult decisions will have to be made. However, they will be cushioned by proper financial support for the sector to get through the coming years to make sure we have an industry and sector for the next generation if we can manage our way through. The Minister of State has full support from this Chamber and the other House on that.”
“I thank the Minister of State for being here for this worthwhile debate. He has inherited a lot of challenges during a difficult time for the inland, onshore and offshore sectors. He faces no shortage of challenges. As previous speakers stated, we all acknowledge his engagement to date with all fishery and advocacy groups for the sector as a whole because so many challenges need to be dealt with. On a continental level we need more support from friends and colleagues across Europe because the whole idea of the European ideal is collegiality, working together, fairness, justice and equality. That is not being felt by fishermen and fisherwomen in Ireland. We feel like we are being taken advantage of. We feel like it is a raw deal.”
“I call for immediate interventions. I welcome the fact that another ambulance is going to be allocated for Castlebar. We need that to be expedited and delivered for the people of Erris immediately. I acknowledge all those who have advocated for it. We need to do more to ensure a region like Erris, which is sparsely populated and rural, does not feel detached and undersupported in terms of these critical health services. I ask that those services be expedited and delivered for the people of the region.”
“When I was meeting with groups in Belmullet on Saturday, the talk of the town was about the worry, fear and anxiety due to the under-resourcing of ambulance services. When I was in the post office in Barnatra, I met a lady wearing a back brace who had to wait over two hours for an ambulance to reach her. I also spoke with a retained firefighter, Leonard Shevlin, who had come on the scene of an accident. Thankfully a former Member of this House, Dr. Keith Swanick in Belmullet, was able to use his contacts to help to save a victim of a road traffic collision that had occurred. If it was not for that intervention, that life would have been lost because of the complexity of the injuries. I apologise; I thought I had another minute left.”
“Today I want to highlight the desperate need for improved ambulance services and resources in County Mayo and, in particular, the Erris region. It is something I highlighted about this time last year. At the time there were some notable improvements after it was highlighted but sadly over recent months there have been numerous instances that have been well highlighted nationally in relation to tragedies that have occurred in Belmullet and the Erris region. Sadly, lives were lost, and no ambulance was able to meet a patient who was gravely ill. The Erris area is a sparsely populated region, with a vibrant town centre like Belmullet, that needs to be treated as if it is twice the size in terms of population because of its geography and isolated nature.”
“I am using this time to highlight it and to make sure that incidents such as this do not happen in any town, village or county. When we have huge housing lists and people in an area desperately looking for housing, to have someone with no connection to an area causing a risk to the community is totally unacceptable. We need to have dedicated facilities for people who are a risk to the public and who are stepping down from prison. This cannot happen. Ballina deserves better, Parkside deserves better and Lord Edward Street deserves better.”
“No public representative was communicated with; we found out at second hand through residents on the street. Within five minutes of him being in the house he was arrested because of an assault on one of the poor care workers supporting him. There was a court sitting that evening and, thankfully, he has left the town. Over my dead body will he return to Ballina. He should not have been there in the first place. He was clearly a risk to the public and there should be a step-down facility that protects the public, whether in Ballina, Mayo or any county. I acknowledge the speed of the Courts Service in hosting a sitting that evening. I was hoping to attend it to make sure I was on top of all of the facts but it was done very quickly. He is no longer a risk to the public.”
“I thank the Cathaoirleach. What I am stating here is all on the public record. I am conscious of this and I will not be naming names. I want to highlight the thinking behind this, for Mayo's sake and for the sake of every county and community. The individual had caused eight separate incidents in prison and was deemed to be a risk to the public. He had thrown boiling water over a prison warden's face. For whatever reason, it was decided he would be relocated to Ballina although he had no connection to the area. This caused consternation among the residents. There were four social workers there to receive him and this caused concern in the community. Immediately, I was on the phone to housing authorities and community police, who were brilliant in terms of communicating with me.”
“The individual was deemed by the judge at the time to be a risk and a threat of causing further violence to the public. The person had eight serious incidents-----”
“I first offer my vote of sympathy to the family of Grace Lynch on her tragic passing and to all my Fianna Fáil colleagues on the passing of former Senator and MEP Brian Crowley. I offer my condolences. Last week, after a positive week of housing developments in my home town, Ballina, from a both affordable and social housing point of view, I was travelling down the road from Leinster House and my phone began to receive many calls from residents in the Parkside area. It was about an incident I will highlight here this afternoon that needs to be addressed. This is about someone who was convicted of murder in court being released into Ballina. Having no connection with the area, the person was relocated to the Parkside area of Ballina.”
“I also support Councillor Peter Flynn in Westport who is hugely disappointed that, with millions of euro announced and raised, a simple stretch of footpath that would have enabled work on the building of 200 houses in Westport to commence was not funded. It was funded to the tune of €5,000. We need to make sure that we are provide funding in line with the asks from county councillors and communities, particularly as they are at the heartbeat of decision-making in this regard. We need to make sure that we align funding in such a way that we can deliver for our communities. I would appreciate if we could write to the Department and the Minister to make sure there is support for these communities.”
“After much campaigning, the announcement that final piece of the greenway link, which currently is at a dead end but which would connect outlying areas with the town centre and bring about much-needed improvements in the context of safety, will not be delivered is hugely disappointing for those involved. We need to get delivery and ensure that we are funding and supporting projects demanded by communities. Often, there are different agendas at play. We need to make sure that we are listening and responding to communities. We need to deliver for communities like that in Balla. I would like additional consideration to be given to some projects that have been left off the list. The project to which I refer is supported by Councillor Donna Sheridan, who is doing great work with the community in Balla.”
“I will start on a positive note. The active travel funding is very much welcome for communities right across the country. Indeed, there are some positive projects in my home county of Mayo. However, I must highlight the huge disappointment in Balla and Westport about the fact that funding was provided for either in the context of infrastructure that is much needed. At the Ardboley junction in Balla, a greenway was developed. There was huge expectation that the town of Balla would be connected from the outskirts right into the centre by means of active travel funding. There is a huge safety issue here. There is a special area of conservation, SAC, that has limited it, but there has been major political pressure and huge advocacy on the part of the community, which is doing brilliant work within Balla.”
“At this time of year, vulnerable road users can be negatively impacted at a moment's notice and people should be prepared for that.”
“Forde made a very good point and I will use this opportunity to highlight it. He spoke about the importance of having hazard tape in the car. This can be wrapped around the vehicle to advise people that an accident has been addressed or resolved. He also used the opportunity to raise a point, which I am amplifying, about the need for drivers and motorists to have safety equipment in their cars. A few small things can save a life. He suggested motorists carry two high-viz vests, a headlamp so people can use their hands in the dead of night, a windscreen hammer to open a window or windscreen and hazard tape. Small packs like this in every car could save a life. It is something I wanted to share in the House. We should highlight it to the Minister for Transport and perhaps have an awareness campaign with the Road Safety Authority.”
“As a member of the Committee on Transport, I would like to highlight a matter. Yesterday, I travelled to Leinster House and listened to "The Tommy Marren Show" on Midwest Radio when Darren Forde phoned in. He was recognised as Mayo person of the year and is a brilliant community activist from Hollymount. He has led the Hollymount community first responders and is a very entrepreneurial man. We are all very proud of him. He pioneered eco-powered defibrillators. Mr. Forde highlighted an accident where a car left the side of the road. Many good Samaritans stopped along the way to make sure there was no one in it. Thankfully, the accident was resolved, but the car was still on the side of the road. We have seen this happen many times due to black ice and the inclement weather over the past number of weeks. Mr.”
“It has such history with its Titanic memorial park and the beautiful stained glass windows in St. Patrick's Church which depict the Titanic tragedy and other events. I congratulate the whole committee and encourage as much support as possible from this House and across the corridor in the Dáil Chamber to make sure we deliver for Lahardane and the Addergoole parish.”
“More recently, in 1912, 14 people left the parish to board the Titanic, of whom 11 sadly passed on that tragic night. It is an incredibly historic and vibrant community that has much to offer. I also highlight the volunteers involved, namely, Aoife Barrett, Kyle Hampson, Sue Baird, Gemma McDermott, Aidan Browne, Kathleen Browne, Martina Conlon, Virginia Dyra, Kitty Mangan, Shona McAndrew, Patricia McManamon and Shauna Ruttledge, all of whom have played an active role in getting to this plan. It is one thing to have a plan, however. It is now for Mayo County Council and the Department to work alongside this community to make sure its asks are delivered in order to show strong democracy and offer a listening ear to a community that is showing great leadership. I acknowledge the work of the whole Lahardane community.”
“Last weekend, I attended the launch of the Lahardane community futures action plan. I have been a long-time time advocate for community empowerment. I highlight the community futures initiative and the positive impact it has on communities across the country. At the launch of the Lahardane community futures initiative, the committee, led by Caoimhín Rowland, engaged over 400 households. It identified a range of issues and ways to improve the community for the betterment of the next generation. The 400 households involved identified issues such as dereliction in Lahardane and the need for a playground and improved infrastructure in the village. The parish of Addergoole is very historic. Father Conroy guided in General Humbert in 1798.”
“I know Councillor Jarlath Munnelly is working to improve Garda resourcing in Killala, another area which would benefit from additional resources badly needed there. I wish a happy, peaceful and joyful Christmas to my colleagues and all of the staff in Leinster House.”
“I use this opportunity to highlight the vacancy in Belmullet Garda station. Councillor Gerry Coyle has raised this with me and it needs to be addressed. Belmullet and the Erris area is a sparsely populated rural area with a vibrant town. Belmullet is the base for a huge geographical area. The value of a community garda position cannot be overstated in terms of being a touch point for vulnerable elderly people living on their own in isolated areas and for the youth projects being developed in Belmullet. A community police position is so important to the Belmullet community. I highlight that and call for more resources to be supported for community policing, especially in Belmullet.”
“I would like to highlight the benefit of community policing across the country. In my home county of Mayo, community policing has been an excellent way to provide security and peace and has been a positive touch point for gardaí and members of the public. We have seen brilliant benefits of that in Ballina, Castlebar, Westport and other towns in Mayo where the community policing team goes above and beyond looking out for people, being a touch point with youth services, checking in on the elderly, being a visible presence on the beat in the streets and a presence in rural areas. We need to remain focused on supporting community policing and the positive presence of An Garda Síochána in our communities. In parts of Mayo there are vacancies for policing and community policing positions.”
“This is an example where safe routes to school funding can come into play to make it a safe and welcoming environment for students and teachers. I suggest that the safe routes to school model be rolled out as much as possible to support schools like Kilmurry National School, where there is a dangerous junction and a lack of playing facilities for children due to the lack of infrastructure. I acknowledge Noreen Lennon, the principal, and Michael Herr, the chair of the board of management, who have raised this with me. I look forward to visiting them and supporting them on this issue.”
“If there are proposals around compensation, we need to ensure this is done in a manner that is fair, considering the fact that 65% of the jobs are in the inshore sector. The inshore sector also has 90% of the national fishing register. I acknowledge the National Inshore Fisheries Forum, which has raised this with me. I would also like to highlight the safe routes to school funding that is due to be announced this week. In particular, there is a situation in Mayo at Kilmurry National School that could and should benefit from safe routes to school funding, with serious engagement from the local authority. There is a dangerous junction and bend outside the school, with no on-site parking. Staff and parents are forced to use the school playground to park.”
“I share Senator O'Donovan's disappointment and anger at the proposals at EU level to reduce fishing quotas for the Irish fishing industry. In particular, we see a disparity in the distribution of quotas, which I have raised on the floor of this House many times, where 1% of the quota is shared among 1,500 vessels, while 99% is shared among 50 vessels. This is being played out right across Europe, where we see that the bigger, more industrial fishery operations are benefiting more from the distribution of quotas as opposed to the small family-owned vessels right across the shore. We need to fight for better equality in the distribution of quota. We need to push back and make sure that, as an island nation, we have fair and accessible rights to any stocks.”
“This project could be transformational for the future of young people who live Ballinrobe. Those involved with the project have asked that the contribution be reduced from 20% to 10%. That is a reasonable ask, particularly when it is volunteers who are trying their best to improve the fortunes of their town. I acknowledge Councillor Michael Burke, a former colleague of mine on Mayo County Council, and the chairman, Michael Sweeney, who are leading the team of volunteers. We need to be constructive and proactive and support a community that has taken great initiative like this.”
“It has challenges with dereliction like all towns around the country, but this is a great opportunity to show the benefits of regeneration. This project could be a catalyst for the overall regeneration of Ballinrobe. The community received funding to the tune of €4.6 million, but, like those with all projects, the costs have increased. What I am calling for is that the Department and the Government to engage proactively and constructively with the Ballinrobe community and the arts, civics and amenity company that is leading the project. The volunteers involved are showing leadership in their town. We need to support and encourage that. If there is an uplift required, let us engage and make it happen. These are once-in-a-generation projects that can be transformational for a whole town.”
“I wish to highlight the benefit of the rural regeneration development fund, RRDF, and how it has impacted positively on so many communities, towns and villages across the country. I also wish to lend my support to the town and community of Ballinrobe. The people in the community there, supported by the local development company in south-west Mayo, have come together and shown incredible leadership to propose the regeneration of a historic building, namely the old Valkenburg building. The latter is a protected structure built in the 1820. It is proposed to redevelop it as an arts, civics and amenity space and a 300-seat town hall. Ballinrobe is a very vibrant town. It has beautiful old, historic buildings.”
“I thanks the Minister of State for taking on board my proposals and I look forward to working with those affected to make sure these changes are done in a sensitive and constructive way that gives dignity to those affected.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his reply, which I welcome. This is a particular, niche and sensitive issue that affects a certain cohort of people who deserve dignity, ownership of their identity and choice about their privacy. The changes being asked for are reasonable, sensitive and will give great dignity and ensure the complexity of each story is protected and held and is publicly available where the individual so wishes. I welcome the consultation proposal and I encourage the Minister to engage as widely as possible with as many people who are affected as possible so that we have sensitive language and a sensitive policy that is as inclusive of as many complex individual stories as possible.”
“However, the amendment would empower choice and let individuals pick their primary identity, whether that is their lived or biological identity, for daily use like jobs and travel. It would link the records, connecting the certificates via a PPS number or a shared reference, so that Government Departments, family members and researchers see the full picture without any gaps. It would control privacy where there is an opt-in and opt-out for public or private uses. It would reduce confusion, especially abroad, for deaths, inheritances or proving family ties. It would honour emotions by acknowledging that genetic ties matter but so does the life you have built with no forced erasures. This is fair and modern and aligns with rights to identity and privacy. It does not undo the Act's good work. It enhances it for real lives.”
“This creates massive emotional and practical problems for those affected. For the people I have met, it causes them huge stress and issues. For anyone I have engaged with on the topic, this change would be huge. The problem with the system under the current Part 9 rules is that the lived identity with your name, date of birth and social parents from the original certificate is essentially erased from public records, which is making people feel out of place in their families. Many learn of this change through letters from Tusla or meetings with social workers based on records from nursing homes, mother and baby homes or DNA. It is a mix of some of these and some people welcome the truth of their story. Others feel shattered that their whole world has turned upside down because of this.”
“It was not always done in a malicious way. Sometimes it was done in good faith to protect families or to avoid stigma. Today, the truth is emerging through official records handed over to Tusla when organisations are closed. DNA tests are another modern feature that are bringing these stories to light. The Adoption Authority of Ireland releasing other historical documents is playing into this becoming a pressing issue for those affected. When someone discovers, often late in life, that they may have a correct or incorrect birth certificate to reflect their biological parents the original birth certificate is then cancelled and hidden from public view. Only the new one is official and public. There is no automatic link between the two and no choice in how they are handled.”
“People should also have a choice on privacy, whether these linked records stay private, accessible only to them, authorised people, their loved ones or family members, or become public for things like genealogy. It is fair to ask that people have choice and discretion over their identity in this sensitive topic. It is not about rewriting history. It is about giving people control over their own story in a way that is practical, fair and reduces confusion. I will explain the matter step by step, using real-life scenarios to make it clear. Illegal birth registration happens when a baby's birth is registered falsely, usually listing non-biological parents as biological parents on the birth certificate. This was common in Ireland's past, often in mother and baby homes, nursing homes or through other agencies.”
“I thank the Minister of State for being here. Today I advocate for an amendment to Part 9 of the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022. For those unfamiliar with the Act, it helps people to access information on their origins, especially in cases of adoption or incorrect birth registrations. Part 9 specifically deals with correcting birth records when new information comes to light such as through official records or DNA testing. The proposed change is simple but vital in the context of the people affected by it. Amending Part 9 would allow individuals a choice of identity, meaning they can decide which birth certificate, the original or corrected one, to use as their primary identity. It would also require linking the two birth certificates in the records, so they are connected and traceable.”