Government clarifies position on survivor rights to Mother and Baby home data

Representative groups of former residents of mother-and-baby homes have welcomed last night's clarification by Government regarding access to information pertaining to Mother and Baby Homes.

The Government has clarified that adoptees and survivors of mother-and-baby homes are legally entitled to access their personal data.

However those seeking information through GDPR laws will have to prove their application does not infringe on the rights of others.

In a statement, the Government acknowledged the genuine hurt felt by many people over the issue.

Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman said he consulted with the Office of the Attorney General who confirmed that GDPR laws do apply to the archive - meaning people will have a right to access personal information.

However, speaking to RTÉ News, he said anyone seeking to get information will have to prove that doing so does not infringe on the rights of others.

Mr O'Gorman later clarified in a tweet that "the burden will fall" on the Department of Children "to show why the restriction is necessary, not on the person seeking the information".