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Adoption Explainer: What’s the first step to take if you want to trace your parents

There are a couple of routes you can take, says the Adoption Authority of Ireland, but added there are delays, so you should start your search as soon as possible.

THE ADOPTION OF children is something that has been ingrained in Irish history for decades. Every now and again a movie or programme is shown and the issue of the adoption services in Ireland is pushed to the fore.

If you are adopted it might seem like a minefield to begin to start the journey of looking for your birth parents. But there are steps that you can take, when you are ready,  that might result in reunion.

The Adoption Authority of Ireland

Speaking to the TheJournal.ie, the Adoption Authority of Ireland said adopted people really have two options when they begin their search.

They can join the National Adoption Contact Preference Register – see application form and leaflet here – which is open to any adopted person and any relative of an adopted person.

Registration is voluntary so it obviously requires both the adoptee and at least one birth relative to join. There are currently around 11,000 persons registered, roughly 70:30 adoptees to relatives, and there have been over 600 “matches” where more than 600 adoptees have been matched and put in touch with a birth relative.

A review of the register undertaken in 2007, looked at the types of calls the Adoption Board received on a typical day:

image

Register

A spokesperson said that the register is something that has to be welcomed but said that due to the Adoption Authority having its resources cut year on year, there are significant delays in matching people.

He added:

The problem is that Minister Frances Fitzgerald said that a draft bill on this issue is imminent, however, we have not seen this draft. I wish there was more we could do, but we don’t have the legal basis to do what we need to do.

For example, all the births, marriages and deaths are now computerised. There is no reason why we should not have access to those records on our computers, but we do not. When someone comes to us looking to be traced, I physically have to go down to the Register Office with over 70 or so documents.

He added: “With the delays, I would urge people who are considering looking for their family to put their name on the register. When we get to you and if you feel you are not ready to proceed that is totally fine, but it is best to get the wheels in motion sooner rather than later,” he said.

Adoption agency

Another option people have is  to contact the agency that arranged the adoption or whoever now holds the relevant records and they will try to locate and make contact with the birth parents and/or other birth relatives on behalf of the adopted person with a view to obtaining background/medical information and/or arranging for more direct contact if that’s agreeable to all concerned.

If the person doesn’t know which agency holds their records, they can contact the Adoption Authority of Ireland and they will be able to point you in the right direction.

However, similar to the resource shortages in the Adoption Authority of Ireland and due to the ongoing lack of any statutory basis for the provision of such services, they have been particularly hard hit by the cutbacks in the public service over the last five years and there are now very
considerable waiting lists for these services.

Waiting list

“There can be waiting lists of up to three years for depending on what agency you were adopted by. For instance, the HSE took over the remit of one agency which entailed over 14,000 adoption documents being handed over to them and only one extra social worker was assigned to handle that work load, so you can imagine the pace at which things can move,” said the AAI spokesperson.

He added that under the 2010 legislation, the AAI is the central authority for registered agencies but that they have “no real power over them”. He added that if someone has a complaint about one of the agencies, the AAI can be contacted, but again, due the lack of clarity around their legal status, they can merely point out to that agency where they went wrong.

He added that sometimes information people were provided about their birth parents may be wrong, stating that the thinking behind it was that “these children were going to new parents and there was really no thoughts that they would meet their birth mothers again, so sometimes information that was untrue was given, so that can be an obstacle. Also, due to stigma at the time, or due to instruction, mothers often gave different names.

Often, people choose not to go through the AAI, the register or their agency and armed with their date of birth, birth name and place of birth they go to the Register Office to get their birth certificate and then perhaps go on to look for their parents possible marriage certificate.

“Going through the index for the year you were born can be tedious rather than difficult,” said the AAI spokesperson, adding, “after much searching, you may well find the information you are looking for, but then what?”

He said that people should be careful about how they go about things, stating that knocking on someone’s door or sending a letter to their house might not have the same result you want.

People often need supports when they decide to trace their family. Supports can be offered from a range of services from the Adoptions Rights Alliance, the Adoption Authority of Ireland itself and the HSE.

“Even for the reason of finding out your medical history, it can be worthwhile, but I would urge people who are contemplating taking that step to do it now, take the first step and at least register,” he said.

Column: A review of guardianship, adoption and surrogacy law is underway, but what can we expect?>

Read: Calls for independent investigation into Ireland’s illegal adoptions>

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17 Comments
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    Mute Alan.V
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    Sep 26th 2012, 12:45 PM

    Galaxy S3 for me, bigger screen, better apps and faster.

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    Mute Creamy Hamstrings
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    Sep 26th 2012, 12:57 PM

    Bigger screen?! It looks like a bleedin ipad!

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    Mute Pat Casey
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    Sep 26th 2012, 12:59 PM

    With you there.

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    Mute Pat Casey
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:01 PM

    I meant with you there Alan. S3 rocks

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    Mute Joe McDermott
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    Sep 26th 2012, 2:22 PM

    Yeah like a bag of rocks.

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Sep 26th 2012, 3:31 PM

    and it’s not faster

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    Mute BcuTCM0P
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:04 PM

    I was thinking about trading my old phone in to get this because of the few extra centimeters but then I thought what if my girlfriend is thinking the same about me?

    122
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    Mute Damian O'keeffe
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:12 PM

    Go wider she’d might prefer that….

    Wow that’s inappropriate even for me.

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Sep 26th 2012, 3:34 PM

    Short arse!

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    Mute paudy o brien
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    Sep 26th 2012, 12:51 PM

    I hope Apple paid Ye well for that ad

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    Mute Adrian de Cleir
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:55 PM

    This love affair between thejournal and apple is getting embarrassing

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    Mute Garry Whelan
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    Sep 26th 2012, 12:48 PM

    It is manufactured using what amounts to be no less than slave labour.

    47
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    Mute Jay Coleman
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    Sep 26th 2012, 12:56 PM

    Jesus christ here we go again. Your tv. Stereo etc And most of the electronics in your house are made by the same company

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    Mute Garry Whelan
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:10 PM

    So that makes it alright then.

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    Mute Eoin O Shea
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:37 PM

    What did you use to comment on this article? Phone, computer, tablet…..where you think they are made?

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Sep 26th 2012, 3:32 PM

    Foxconn pays twice the minimum wage

    11
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    Mute Pat Casey
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    Sep 26th 2012, 5:09 PM

    Every stitch you wear and probably all your electronics are in the same boat. Its the way of the modern world and choices are limited.

    6
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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:04 PM

    you love the screen yet is made using a ratio previously unheard of IBM the smartphone industry. you hate the fact that apps aren’t optimised for the screen you love? cake and eating it anyone? Galaxy S3 is already technically superior and it’s been out for months already!

    42
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    Mute Jay Coleman
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:07 PM

    16:9? Are you for real? Apple were one of the last to have this.

    15
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    Mute Louise Ni Riain
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    Sep 26th 2012, 12:48 PM

    Sony Xperia s for me!! crapple
    apple

    35
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    Mute Fuzi Le Bon
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    Sep 27th 2012, 8:48 AM

    I’m feeling Ya,

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    Mute Fuzi Le Bon
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    Sep 27th 2012, 8:49 AM

    I’m feeling Ya, Xperia s is sexy as HELL

    2
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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Sep 26th 2012, 12:59 PM

    Bring on the Galaxy Note 2. Cant wait till me 4S contract in over.

    33
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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:09 PM

    I don’t care if it’s faster, how have they still not updated the home screen? The only change to this since the original iPhone has been the ability to create folders, otherwise it has the same functionality as any old nokia. On any other platform I can set widgets to give me info at a glance, why can’t they manage that in iOS?

    21
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    Mute Damian O'keeffe
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:15 PM

    Wait it will have i-widgets “patented” for iphone6.

    15
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    Mute Jay Coleman
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:16 PM

    Meh. Widgets are a gimmick and a battery hog. Yeah some of them are handy but most aren’t. Rather have a better battery than widgets. Switched to the s3 last week and I miss the long lasting battery off my iPhone 4. I do like the s3 though :)

    14
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    Mute Keelan Clarke
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:50 PM

    I have an s3 and love it, far superior than any iPhone,

    but on an other note, does anyone know when LTE will be available in Ireland??

    18
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    Mute Joseph Colclough
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    Sep 26th 2012, 2:03 PM

    Auctioning of the spectrum begins next year, I’d give it at least 2014 before it’s rolled out nationwide. As usual we lag behind.

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    Mute Jay Coleman
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    Sep 26th 2012, 3:45 PM

    And a complete con as comreg are auctioning off 5ghz and instead of 20mhz which means basically 3g speeds

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    Mute Mark Larson
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    Sep 26th 2012, 4:54 PM

    Don’t waste your money. I got one last week not impressed. The Samsung Galaxy 3 is alot better and faster.

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    Mute Eoin Norris
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    Sep 26th 2012, 7:25 PM

    The iPhone smokes Samsung in all benchmark tests. 9 times faster than lumia in JavaScript. All iOS devices including old ipad and 4s faster in all OpenGL tests than the best Android phone.

    http://www.redmondpie.com/iphone-5-performance-benchmarks-detailed-its-the-fastest-smartphone-available-today/

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    Mute Mark Larson
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    Sep 26th 2012, 7:40 PM

    I didn’t think so, i have the iphone 4s, this to me was not much different. I got the Samsung G3 a couple of months back, i think it is alot better.

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    Mute Eoin Norris
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    Sep 26th 2012, 7:43 PM

    Mark. There are stats and anecdotes. I doubt if you saw the iPhone 5. Where is it available? But even if you did – that’s an anecdote.

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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Sep 26th 2012, 8:14 PM

    Eoin: benchmarks aren’t the same as real world tests. It’s easy for a device to excel in a single task if it’s only able to run a single process at a time!

    3
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    Mute Mark Larson
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    Sep 26th 2012, 8:35 PM

    Eoin i don’t care about the stats, you doubt if i even saw the iphone5? Do i care about your doubts, No. im from London, in my opinion its just like all the other iphones. The Samsung Galaxy 3 is the better phone in my opinion…………..

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    Mute Louise Ni Riain
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    Sep 26th 2012, 12:49 PM

    Sony Xperia s for me!! crapple apple

    17
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    Mute Joe McDermott
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    Sep 26th 2012, 7:55 PM

    Whats the xperia like Louise?

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    Mute Fuzi Le Bon
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    Sep 27th 2012, 8:51 AM

    Xperia s is a beast it’s easily the best looking handset out there right now, have tried the s2 and 4s iphone but have yet to get my greedy paws on an s3

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    Mute Biggins31
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:09 PM
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    Mute Ruth Kelleher
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:23 PM

    How is the 5 as a phone? I have the 4 (not 4s) version and it has been a disaster!!! Does the 5 function perfectly as a phone?

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    Mute Michal Rozanski
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:49 PM

    there is one thing u need to know not few. there are better phones out there.

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Sep 26th 2012, 3:36 PM

    In your opinion…

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    Mute Damian O'keeffe
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    Sep 26th 2012, 3:48 PM

    Apple fanboys in da house….

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Sep 26th 2012, 3:52 PM

    Fanboy? Fan of the iPhone? Yes. Have a Samsung washing machine, am I forgiven?

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    Mute Damian O'keeffe
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    Sep 26th 2012, 4:05 PM

    Sorry I don’t have that authority…..

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Sep 26th 2012, 4:10 PM

    I doubt you have any authority in anything Damien. Nice family pic, maybe you should grow up and stop calling people you don’t know fanboys because they prefer one product over another. You look older than the type that would post childish comments like that. Ah well…

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    Mute Damian O'keeffe
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    Sep 26th 2012, 4:24 PM

    @Gordon, When you take something said in jest seriously and react in that way it only makes you look silly.

    Apologies if I got under your skin.

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Sep 26th 2012, 4:37 PM

    You didn’t get anywhere close to being under my skin Damien! I just find it a bit sad to see a grown man, father of two trolling “fanboys in da house”..! I’m silly..? Have a nice day.

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    Mute Michal Rozanski
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    Sep 26th 2012, 6:24 PM

    @ gordon

    yep, that was my opinion. I belive that’s the idea of posting comment.

    I can say more, for me any iphone is not a smartphone, its a gadget. my phone is over a year old, but I find it way more usefull than any of the iphones. and it is my opinion, based on my needs.

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Sep 26th 2012, 6:30 PM

    Michael your statement came across as such, as a statement of fact, not an opinion. Just saying, I disagree.

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    Mute Damian O'keeffe
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    Sep 26th 2012, 7:58 PM

    One of us is ribbing the other for perceived unhealthy love of apple.

    The other is bringing a persons wife & kids into the argument.

    Who’s the troll again?

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Sep 26th 2012, 8:15 PM

    Don’t start crying like a little girl Damien and take my comment (made in jest) so seriously, it makes you look silly…!

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    Mute Damian O'keeffe
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    Sep 26th 2012, 8:22 PM

    Thanks.

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    Mute paudy o brien
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    Sep 27th 2012, 10:05 AM

    damian for the win

    12
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    Mute fizi_water
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    Sep 26th 2012, 4:00 PM

    Galaxy S3 vs. iPhone 5. No there is another winner there Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
    1st October UK launch. More powerful than S3, jelly bean on board and killer 5.5 screen + stylus pen. Simply best android phone in the world. Some may only complain about size even bit bigger than s3. But watching movie ir browsin web on it is pure joy :-)

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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Sep 26th 2012, 3:04 PM

    the screen is 1136 x 640 pixels. ergo non standard.

    7
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    Mute Joseph Colclough
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    Sep 26th 2012, 7:44 PM

    Ah apologies for my earlier comment so Mark, I thought you meant the screen size and aspect ratio, forgot about the resolution.

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    Mute edward cullen
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    Sep 26th 2012, 2:53 PM

    Nokia lumia for me.

    6
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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:05 PM

    Damn you auto correct!

    4
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    Mute John Byrne
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    Sep 27th 2012, 9:12 AM

    Who cares . It’s a phone whoop dee doo

    3
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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Sep 26th 2012, 3:55 PM

    can’t imagine you can pop in and buy one. I’d say they’re all preordered. I read about concerns over supply issues but it didn’t say where so I don’t know if it’s affected Europe

    2
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    Mute Matthew Brown
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    Sep 26th 2012, 4:05 PM

    As far as I can tell only 3 have been taking pre-orders. Other networks have only been taking expressions of interest..

    1
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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Sep 26th 2012, 4:14 PM

    the note does look pretty savage but I have reservations about how portable it is. the S3 is pretty massive on its own adding another inch to the screen brings us almost into tablet territory. In saying that it would be pretty decent as a media player but probably not so much a phones

    2
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    Mute fizi_water
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    Sep 26th 2012, 4:29 PM

    I have note 1 which is same size as new note 2. Its actually very light not sure now but maybe just tiny bit heavier than iphone 4 or same. Size is not an issue at all fits no problem in standard shirt pocket and in slacks / jeans. It has a feature to reduce keyboard and move to each side so allows one hand typing too (with full size keyboard setting not really possible unless you have huge hands). Stylus pen allows you take quick notes and pen is very accurate and responsive – no way you can achieve that with iphone and finger. Finally phone that i can use for taking shopping list of my second half :) Screen is a beauty and youtube or movies or web looks just stunning. This is complete phone I dont use tablet much anymore. Having said that note 2 is all note 1 is and even much better its a proper beast. Definitely on my Christmas wish list.

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    Mute feargalgarvin
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    Sep 26th 2012, 4:45 PM

    The note will be phone that brings dungarees back in to fashion

    6
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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:28 PM

    my apologies I ment physical screen size. by making it taller and not wider they’ve created a non standard screen.

    2
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    Mute Joseph Colclough
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    Sep 26th 2012, 1:53 PM

    But it is a standard screen size 4″ diagonal and a 16:9 aspect ratio. Only thing different is the in cell technology so the glass is slightly thinner

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    Mute Cpm
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    Sep 26th 2012, 4:14 PM

    Hoseph – he means it’s not a standard mobile phone screen size, yes it’s a standard tv and film broadcast format, but not a mobile phone format

    1
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    Mute Sinead Monaghan
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    Sep 27th 2012, 9:20 AM

    I think the journal should hold one of their lovely vote things on ‘Samsung v iPhone’ and lets really get this fire going :) would be extremely entertaining lol

    1
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    Mute Cathal O'Donoghue
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    Sep 27th 2012, 10:02 AM

    Recently had the chance to compare iPhone with Samsung. Samsung looked and felt brilliant but operating system was confusing. iPhone far more intuitive. With that said, I recently synced ios5 and it almost wiped everything. Love the iPhone, hate iTunes.

    1
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    Mute Eoin O'Hanlon
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    Sep 26th 2012, 7:13 PM

    How much will it cost?

    1
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    Mute Mark Noonan
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    Sep 26th 2012, 11:01 PM

    Your soul…

    3
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    Mute Matthew Brown
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    Sep 26th 2012, 3:34 PM

    In reality will the new iphone be available in the likes of Vodafone, 02 etc. stores this Friday??

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    Mute fizi_water
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    Sep 26th 2012, 4:10 PM

    Very much doubt it. As far as I recall any apple launch it hardly ever and anywhere had enough items just to walk in and buy. When new iPad launched you could get it just for couple hours if survived long queue. Then they didnt have stock for like 2 weeks. Then particular models and colours did not stick like for another 2-3 months, only after that situation settled.

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