Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 21:

In page 15, to delete lines 24 to 27 and substitute the following: "(5) The Government shall make every effort where a site proves problematic to resolve difficulties and thoroughly examine burials on the land, before it is determined that memorialisation of the burials on the land, is more appropriate.".

Memorialisation in the absence of exhumation and identification of remains is maladaptive with justice ideals. It is impossible to memorialise something if we do not know or agree on what we are acknowledging. The report of the expert technical group states:

In order to memorialise, it is essential to know what and whom are being acknowledged. Further investigation on behalf of Government would be required in order to memorialise effectively.

In the absence of specifying what the substantive reasons are for not engaging an intervention, it is impossible for this provision to be a proportionate engagement with the rights and preferences of victim-survivors, including former residents of institutions and their families. Ireland's international obligations under the relevant EU and UN conventions should be checked because this memorialisation measure, in lieu of proper investigations, as suggested, would appear to allow any Government literally to bury the truth in order to avoid international embarrassment.