Sir, - How gratified we were to read Nuala O'Faolain's article (April 8th) in which she spelled out why a national contact register is not just something to aspire to in the future, but is an absolutely vital and immediate necessity, and one which does not require legislation or huge expense. We (APAI) have been campaigning for many years for the establishment of such a register. We often felt that we were shouting into a bucket for all the response we got from successive governments. Until now.
We were very interested in the announcement by the Minister, Mrs Niamh Bhreathnach, that she is arranging a controlled analysis and release of information about people brought up in institutions since the turn of the century, and that this information is to be accessed through a contact register. We will hold her to that!
We have made many submissions to various politicians over the years, to no avail, but in a letter to us Mr Austin Currie states that the establishment of a national contact register is one of his priorities in the area of adoption. It is his intention "to bring forward a Bill to this effect at the earliest possible date". We will hold him to that!
For the first time, we are hopeful that these are not empty promises, that there is a recognition at last of the needs of people - adopted, fostered or raised in institutions - to information about their past. Proper counselling must be provided for all concerned, and most importantly, a register might put a stop to the "cowboys" - those untrained individuals who hand over names and addresses to vulnerable people who, in their justifiable desire to discover their own roots, frighten the daylights out of others. - Yours, etc.,
Hon. secretary,
Adoptive Parents
Association of Ireland,
Annamoe,
Bray, Co Wicklow.
