Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

My understanding, having spoken to officials and listened to experts, is that the appropriateness of the particular techniques very much depend on the particular site. It depends on the condition of the site and the condition of the remains at the site. The Deputy is right when he says that it is absolutely correct that this agency applies the right techniques to the particular site. However, I am not sure whether that requires the listing of every single technique that could possibly be used in this legislation. There might, of course, be particular techniques that are wrong for a particular site. An obligation to use what is necessary for that particular site is how I would understand this agency will work. In terms of accountability, the director of the agency is accountable to the Committee of Public Accounts and other relevant committees, including, I presume, this committee. If a situation arises whereby a director is refusing to use a technique that would seem obvious, that director will be called in front of a committee and held accountable for that decision.

I take on board what the Deputy is saying in respect of the breakdown of trust and it is something I acknowledged in my earlier contribution, as I have in all my contributions on the issue of mother and baby homes. We will certainly look to see how the legislation can clearly indicate that the agency will use those techniques that are most appropriate to the particular site.