Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for appearing before the committee today and for his ongoing engagement on this matter and the important work we have ahead of us.

Like many of the survivors and advocacy groups, I am deeply uncomfortable and disappointed with how the mother and baby homes report has been handled to date, both in terms of the lack of consultation with survivors and previously the rush to get the legislation through the House, the leaking of the report to the Sunday newspapers in advance of its publication and also the continuing issues relating to the access to records. Having spoken to the members of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance, I wish to raise their concerns that their voices are now being dismissed.

How does the Minister intend to recover the testimonial evidence? Are duplicates available? When was he aware that the tapes would be destroyed? Survivors indicate that they were not aware before, during or after their interviews that their recordings would be destroyed. They signed no paperwork to that effect.

There is obvious targeting of survivors by members of the legal profession. It is depressing to note that advertisements are being placed in newspapers inviting those affected to contact them. I have been contacted by Breeda Murphy, PRO of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance. This practice is illegal. How does the Minister intend to challenge such behaviour? I ask him to discuss this with his Cabinet colleagues to ensure the practice is stamped out and survivors can get on with their lives.