Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is not timely and I do not underestimate the challenges involved. The Minister spoke of legislative and logistical challenges. Could he spell out exactly what these are in terms of the delay in the publication of the terms of reference? What years are to be covered from 1925 onwards? What institutions will be included? Will it include the Sisters of Bon Secours in Tuam and similar institutions, the Bethany Home and the Magdalen laundries? Will the Minister indicate clearly, in this first opportunity after the summer recess, exactly where this preparatory work is? Will it include address of the adoption practices, infant mortality rates, medical experimentation on children, burial of children in unmarked graves and many other issues we have highlighted to the Minister and his predecessors? This was not only a failure of religious institutions but of the State. We must also recognise that because of the societal pressures it was also a failure of communities and families. Since we last met, before the recess, what efforts have been employed to secure and protect all records? Have they been gathered and placed in a safe repository?

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