Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to acknowledge Deputy Ó Caoláin's constructive contribution to this matter on behalf of his party. I also acknowledge his written submission. As I told Deputy Troy, I intend to proceed with the process of consultation which I have found to be both informative and engaging.

Deputy Ó Caoláin will be aware that the Government has undertaken to establish a commission of investigation into the concerns that have arisen about mother and baby homes. The decision to establish a commission into these matters received the unanimous endorsement of this House. I have undertaken to report back to the House on the establishment of the commission before 17 July. I have also publicly confirmed that the intended scope of the investigation will go well beyond the home operated by the Sisters of Bon Secours in Tuam, County Galway. These announcements have been widely welcomed.

The commission of investigation will be statutory and independent and will operate under the Commission of Investigations Act 2004. The process of developing detailed terms of reference for the commission is being supported by the work of a high-level cross-departmental review committee. The committee was asked to complete its considerations by 30 June, so as to inform the Government's deliberations. That deadline was met and I reported to the Cabinet this morning.

I wish to thank the officials on the review committee and the Departments involved for the significant body of work they have undertaken within a short period. I will now consult with my Government colleagues on decisions to be made on foot of the committee's report and on the earlier endorsement by the House of the proposal to establish a commission of investigation.

The appropriate model, including the matters to be investigated and the proposed approach to these matters, is being considered as part of the consideration of the commission's terms of reference. Public calls to include a range of institutions and concerns related to particular practices are also being considered as part of this work.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

As well as working closely with my own officials, I wish to acknowledge the constructive contribution of the Deputy and other Opposition spokespersons with whom I have met in recent days. I look forward to continuing engagement across the House with a view to achieving all-party consensus as the necessary arrangements are finalised. I have also met with representatives of a number of key advocacy groups and church leaders, including the Adoption Rights Alliance, First Mothers Group, Bethany Homes Survivors Group, Cúnamh, Adoption Loss and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. I also hope to meet with Archbishop Jackson at his earliest availability. The submissions made to me during these constructive discussions, together with those received through my Department’s dedicated e-mail facility, will feed into the process. I am confident that this inclusive approach in the essential scoping phase will assist in establishing an inquiry which is capable of effectively addressing these important matters in a sensitive and timely manner.

I assure the House that I am committed to taking the most appropriate approach to establish the truth in respect of these deeply tragic and disturbing events. It is my intention to bring a resolution before both Houses prior to the summer recess to facilitate the making of an order to formally establish the commission. It is my earnest wish that, with the support of both Houses of the Oireachtas, we can conclude these matters and have the commission embark on the investigation of matters of great priority at an early date.

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