The Adoption Authority of Ireland has released a video explaining what new landmark legislation means for people who were adopted in, or from, Ireland.

The video is part of a public information campaign to raise awareness around the world of the important services to be provided under the Birth Information and Tracing Act.

The new law provides legal entitlement to full and unrestricted access to birth and early life information for any Irish person who was adopted, boarded out or had their birth information illegally registered, or who otherwise has questions in relation to their origins.

It also establishes a tracing service to facilitate contact between adoptees and birth parents and other relatives according to the preferences they register on the new Contact Preference Register (CPR).

The Adoption Authority estimates that 100,000 people – adoptees, birth parents and other relatives – are impacted by the new legislation, with many of them living outside of Ireland.

Patricia Carey, CEO of the Adoption Authority of Ireland, said: “Thousands of birth parents left Ireland to rebuild their lives in other countries. We hope this video helps to reach them and adult adoptees – no matter where they live – and lets them know they are now able to find out about their origins.”