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

The reasoning behind this legislation is, ultimately, an understanding that was felt across the entire country and a repugnance that was felt across the entire country when it became clear in 2014 and 2015, following the work of Catherine Corless and others, that the remains of infants and children were treated in such an appalling manner. Not only were they denied, everything about the collective nature and the location of the burials is deeply repugnant to our notions of decency. It was on that basis the legislation is being brought forward. There is the need for the families of those who were born in Tuam to have some reassurance that those remains will be treated in a dignified manner by the State, and to make provision for that.