John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate on another sad chapter in the history of the country during which hundreds, if not thousands, of mothers and babies were allegedly treated in an appalling fashion by the institutions in which they had been placed. I welcome the announcement made in recent days by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Charles Flanagan. As this is the first occasion since his appointment on which I have spoken on an issue relating to children, I take the opportunity to congratulate him on his appointment and, in particular, the calm and constructive manner with which he has responded to this issue, despite hardly having his legs under the table. We can all argue that it should have been addressed a long time ago, but it is being addressed now. I welcome the structured manner in which the Minister is approaching the issue in terms of the establishment of an interdepartmental group to gather and collate all of the relevant documentation, which work, when completed at the end of this month, will feed into the commission of investigation which will have statutory powers to investigate the mother and baby homes.

I cannot over-emphasise the fact that it is important that this matter be progressed in a methodical manner, with the pieces of the jigsaw being brought together and the real facts in relation to what happened in Tuam and elsewhere established. This needs to be done right. It would not be helpful - in fact, it could cause further hurt to those already suffering in silence - if the sensationalism we have witnessed in the media in recent days was to continue. I cannot see how it contributes in any way to addressing the issue. As we have seen in recent months, it takes time - in some cases, it has taken too long - to establish a commission of inquiry, but that has not happened in this case. It behoves all of us to hold our nerve and allow the interdepartmental group and the commission of investigation to get on with their work, establish the facts and reach their conclusions. What we need during this time is sensitivity rather than the sensationalism we have witnessed.

I welcome the statements yesterday by the Taoiseach and the Minister that everybody who wishes to contribute will have an opportunity to do so. This is not and should not be about squabbling across the floor. It is about reaching conclusions, with an input from everybody on what the terms of reference should be. There is a need for a timeframe and a conclusion of this matter as quickly as possible. The terms of reference should not be so wide that everything that happened to children in this country since the Famine is investigated. It is important to get the balance right and that we are inclusive in how we go about setting the terms of reference for the inquiry.

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In the meantime, we should be more sensitive than sensational. Obviously, fingers will be pointed as a result of the commission's report on the appalling treatment of the mothers and babies, but let that be done by its authors. Let us not all start doing so from today.

I agree with some of the Opposition's comments on the treatment of children in direct provision. We do not want a Dáil in 50 years to be inquiring into the appalling nature of direct provision. This needs to be dealt with, separately or otherwise. If there is some shadow here, light should be shone on it also.

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