Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. Unfortunately, I do not have full confidence in the interdepartmental initiative that has been established. I assume his Department will lead it, the same Department that sat on a report for almost 12 months. Were it not for the efforts of a local historian and investigative journalists, we might not be discussing this issue today. It is an extremely time sensitive issue and must be given the priority it deserves.

Will the Minister agree, at a minimum, that when he receives the report of the interdepartmental group, he will explore the possibility of a full independent inquiry? That is what is needed. We also need all adoption records to be opened immediately, in line with international best practice. A similar scenario to what we are dealing with here, involving forced adoptions, unfolded in Australia last year. The then Prime Minister of that country, Julia Gillard, offered a full and frank apology for the state's role in those events and put in place proper, robust channels to ensure people could obtain the details of their identity. We do not have to reinvent the wheel here. We must act in accordance with international best practice and in a humane and compassionate manner.

See this speech in context