Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact that the Minister has been meeting these groups. It is important that there is a high level of engagement with these advocacy groups and the groups that are affected.

The Minister will be aware from talking to these groups that they are resolute in the requirement that this independent investigation covers all mother and baby homes. It is important from the outset, as I stated to the Minister privately when we met, that we get buy-in from the beginning because this is a critical issue and we want to ensure that it has the support of all parties in the House and of the groups affected.

The Minister might be able to expand further on that, perhaps not today but when we meet at a later stage, and confirm the types of issues that he will investigate. He mentioned forced adoption and illegal adoption, but in this area there are also the issues of the maltreatment of women and babies, the high mortality rates of children, and vaccine testing and medical trials. They are all issues. In his reply, the Minister might outline the areas and homes that will be investigated and reconfirm that he will maintain consultation with the affected parties and that the terms of reference will be established and published before the summer recess.

See this speech in context