Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

One of the Taoiseach's Ministers has prepared a memorandum of understanding to be signed by the Irish Insurance Federation. It falls short of a legislative remedy for those families that cannot get insurance for their homes, but I welcome the Taoiseach's sentiment expressed here today that perhaps when that legislation is introduced, the matter of some form of State guarantee or fund for those householders might be considered. It is long overdue.

Today the Taoiseach discussed the findings of the European Court of Human Rights in the Louise O'Keeffe case. When does the Taoiseach propose to make a full and formal response to that court judgment? Does he propose to reiterate his apology to Ms O'Keeffe here in this House? Does he intend to extend it to all other survivors of abuse in primary schools? Does he propose any new legislation in the wake of the Louise O'Keeffe judgement? Is the Government minded to provide time for a debate on the very far-reaching consequences of that judgement?

On the adoption (information and tracing) Bill, I do not know if the Taoiseach had occasion to hear "Today with Seán O'Rourke" on RTE Radio 1 this morning. It had very compelling and moving testimony from a now-adult man and his birth mother and their particular experiences in the mother and baby home in Bessborough, County Cork, the removal of the child from his birth mother and all that transpired since. The Taoiseach and I both know there is a huge story to be told about these institutions. We have not even begun to shine a light on these issues.

It is essential and urgent that this legislation is published and that adopted persons and parents searching for their children have the opportunity to access records, because currently they are frustrated in their efforts.

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