Mr. Michael MacDonagh:

As the Minister of State correctly said, given the tragic sensitivities related to the sites, they are being dealt with through exhumation rather than excavation. The exhumation will be dealt with under separate legislation being advanced by the relevant Department, using archaeological techniques by a very professional archaeological sector that has developed across Ireland over many years. We have engaged extensively with the archaeologist employed previously by the mother and baby homes commission. As the Minister of State rightly pointed out, those sites are forensic. While they will use archaeological techniques when permission is given and decisions are made, they will fall under separate legislation as opposed to this proposed Bill or the current legislation.