Concerns about falsified adoption records in Irish State institutions were raised in the Dáil, following the apology by the Australia n prime minister to single mothers forced to give up their children for adoption.

Sinn Féin social protection spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked if the Irish Government intended to establish an inquiry "to look into that practice, which happened in this State as well as in Australia and Britain".

Mr Ó Snodaigh's comments follow Julia Gillard 's apology in the Australian parliament to thousands of women who were forced, through pressure and threats, to give up their children over three decades from the second World War until the early 1970s so that married couples could adopt them. An Australian senate committee report found it was believed at the time to be in the children's best interests.

Mr Ó Snodaigh said illegal adoptions were an issue similar to the Magdalene laundries and other residential institutions. He asked if legislation was needed “to address the falsification of adoption records in some State institutions, including hospitals”.

Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte who was taking the Order of Business said: “I do not have any expertise in this area but I will ask the relevant Minister to reply to Deputy Ó Snodaigh directly,” Mr Rabbitte said.