The Minister for Children, Mr Brian Lenihan, has begun a review of Ireland's adoption laws, including the issue of information rights for those affected by adoption.
An independent legal expert has drawn up a consultation document exploring a number of issues that Mr Lenihan said he hoped interested individuals and organisations would examine and comment on.
The consultation will examine the seven existing Adoption Acts as well as proposed laws on information rights for those affected by adoption and the ratification by Ireland of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.
"I hope that this highly focused consultation process will result in workable proposals to bring to Government which will lead to a new, modern and appropriate legislative framework for adoption," said Mr Lenihan. The document is available on the Department of Health and Children's website, www.doh.ie