Sir, - Adoption agencies have come in for severe criticism in the media recently. Some of it has been deserved. Most of it has been unfair. detrimental to the good work being done and hurtful to committed professionals who are working under difficult circumstances.
What is the reality? We know that there are sometimes inaccuracies in our records. Our sources of information are not always entirely reliable. However, that being said, no adoption agency today deliberately falsifies its records nor knowingly provides an adopted person with misleading information.
In the past, birth mothers sometimes gave adoption agencies false information either to protect themselves or to conceal the identities of the fathers of their children. This was understandable given the social climate of the time. Unfortunately, some of our predecessors may have been over vigilant in preserving the confidentiality of these birth mothers.
Today, adoption agencies are staffed by professionally qualified social workers. We provide a highly sensitive caring service to all those whose lives are effected by adoption. We have reunited countless birth relatives both around the country and further afield. We realise that we are in a process of continuous learning and have recently set up our own working party to devise standard policies and practice. We are committed to changes in legislation and the removal of secrecy from our work.
Our agencies must work within the limitations of the present adoption law. We face a constant battle to balance needs which are often in conflict. Adopted people need information about their origins. Birth mothers have a right to privacy and confidentiality. Reunions are inherently complex. Counselling is vital to cope with the pitfalls of hurt and rejection which can occur.
If our service continues to be maligned in the media the adoptee will suffer, birth mothers will suffer and the painstaking progress which has been achieved in recent years will be undermined. - Yours, etc.
PR Committee,
Council of Irish Adoption Agencies,
Sth. Anne Street,
Dublin 2.