Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have had a very interactive session. While not all members will be happy with some of the responses, there is a great deal of food for thought in what has been said. This does not end here for any of us. There is an onus and duty on all members of the committee to think about what has been submitted in writing or stated to us. As a committee, we will consider how we want to progress this but a likely recommendation will involve the commissioning of an independent investigation. We have heard that from a number of members. At a future stage, we will have the opportunity to set out what we would like that independent investigation to cover. A number of members queried whether the Department was of the view that a review would happen but the committee did not necessarily get a response to the effect that it would. It will therefore be incumbent on the committee to make a recommendation to the Minister in that regard.

This is a sensitive and delicate matter and we are very conscious that we are representing thousands of people. By the end of 2017, almost 5,500 people had come forward. There is no doubt that far more people than that are affected. The committee wants all survivors to be dealt with in a very understanding, compassionate and practical way having regard to their needs. Bearing in mind that a great many survivors emigrated to England, there is a particular need to make contact with the population overseas. We appreciate the attendance of Mr. Costello, Ms Hynes and Mr. Ó hAonghusa. We will come back to this matter again. Mr. Costello wishes to make a point of clarification.