Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not accept as an excuse the fact that Ireland back in the day was a harsh and cold place, although that is absolutely true. As the Minister is aware, the Bethany Home was a maternity home, a children's home and a place of detention for women. The Minister knows, as I know, that the Bethany Home on Orwell Road in Rathgar, was subject to inspection under the Registration of Maternity Homes Act 1934. The Minister knows, as I know, that the State, under the Department with responsibility for local government as well as public health inspectors, has records cataloguing the deficiencies, defects and neglect in that home. There is a State record of the neglect and abuse. It exists and it is evident for the Minister. The Minister knows - he knew it on the Opposition benches as did all Members there - that the State failed these children.

It is not simply a matter of who placed the children in these homes. The issue is the failure of the State to oversee adequate and proper standards and to secure the safety of those citizens in that home.

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