Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach. I know that he has a very full schedule and that the churches are in the front line, doing very good work for charities and working with citizens who are disadvantaged by austerity policies and so on. This year, we have seen the scandal of the mother and baby homes. New facts and the tragic stories of abuse and loss have emerged and continue to emerge. I read over the weekend that more 660 infants and children died in one mother and baby home in Dublin over a seven year period, from 1923 to 1930. The Catholic religious orders ran these homes with the agreement of the Government. I note and very much welcome Archbishop Martin’s positive remarks about a full inquiry. Protestant churches have also been involved in these institutions, particularly in the Bethany Home. Until recently the Government excluded the Bethany Home from any type of redress or investigation. I welcome very much the fact that has been corrected.

I was trying to ascertain whether the Taoiseach had discussions with church leaders on any of these matters, or whether any member of the Government has had discussions with them about the terms of reference for the commission of investigation into the mother and baby homes. The closing date for submissions was yesterday. A complete investigation of county homes seems to have been ruled out. All of this should be a wake-up call and incentive for the Government to consider how children and mothers have been looked after, or in this case not looked after, since this State was established. Can the Taoiseach indicate whether there has been any discussion with any of the church leaders on any of these matters? Will the terms of reference for the commission of investigation be ready on time and will they include the broader attitude of the State and its institutions towards women and children since its establishment?

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