Data protection experts Simon McGarr, of McGarr Solicitors, and Fred Logue, of FP Logue Solicitors, will address the Oireachtas joint committee on children, disability, equality, integration and youth when it meets at 3pm this afternoon.

The committee is conducting pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2021, which the government says will enshrine in law a right to access birth certificates, birth and early life information for people who have questions in relation to their origins.

Representatives from the Data Protection Commission (DPC) will also address the committee.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, committee cathaoirleach Kathleen Funchion said: “Today we will hear from two solicitors with vast experience and knowledge of data protection to discuss the GDPR impact on the bill.

“This is set to be the last time the committee engages in pre-legislative scrutiny of this Bill. The committee has engaged with a vast variety of stakeholders from surviving mothers, adoptees, academics and GDPR experts.

“We look forward to discussing the heads of the bill with these key stakeholders as we continue to prioritise the process of bringing justice and closure for survivors of mother and baby homes.”