Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his assurance that there will be a report to Government on this matter before the end of the month. I hope we will have an opportunity to debate that report in the House. I commend the local historian, Catherine Corless, on the work she has done in bringing forward these revelations. As I said, there is some confusion as to where the relevant records and other material were filed, whether with the local authority or the former Western Health Board. Will the Minister clarify that issue, if not today then as soon as possible?

The issue of the cruelty and indifference shown to vulnerable children and mothers in Ireland was raised by a man who has been called the most famous priest in the world, Fr. Edward Flanagan, back in 1946, when he travelled from Nebraska to Ireland. He described the treatment of children in church and State care in this country as "a scandal, un-Christlike and wrong". Today, Fr. Peter McVerry, who has championed Fr. Flanagan as one of the people who inspired him in his own work, is a strong champion of the homeless. As we know, youth homelessness is on the rise and increasing numbers of families, as well as individuals, are finding themselves on the streets. These types of issues are coming back to haunt us, some 70 years after the neglect and mistreatment described by Fr. Flanagan. I hope the Minister will report back to us as soon as possible on all the issues that were raised today.

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