The Taoiseach has said Ireland will probably need to hold a referendum to allow children who were forcibly adopted to trace their parents.

Enda Kenny said the move was one of the issues being considered by the Government as part of its inquiry into mother-and-baby homes.

The forced adoption of illegitimate children is set to be one of the issues considered by the Commission of Investigation announced yesterday.

Mr Kenny told the Dáíl a referendum could needed to get around the current rules regarding a mother's constitutional right to privacy.