Adopted people in Ireland are set to finally get the right to access their birth certificates.
The 'Birth Information and Tracing Bill', which has been published by government, will provide access to other important documents, such as baptismal certificates.
Adopted people will be informed if their birth mother does not wish to have any contact with them.
Co-founder of the Adoption Rights Alliance Susan Lohan says it’s long overdue.
"70 years since the introduction of adoption in Ireland - legal adoption.
"Adopted people will for the first time be given unconditional access to their birth certificates.
"Having our birth certs is certainly a huge step forward for us."
The children’s minister says forcing adopted people to fight for access to their own information was wrong.
Roderic O’Gorman says the move is an attempt to make up for previous government failures.
"I like to acknowledge that this legislation would not be published without the years of campaigning, perseverance, hard-work by many thousands adopted people in Ireland.
"I believe that this bill today represents a real step in addressing, and redressing the failure of the state."
