John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to comment on the establishment of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes and to commend the Minister, Deputy Reilly, on his swift action on the issue. Mother and baby homes are just another chapter in what has been a series of revelations in the past 20 years in this country about the treatment of certain groups in society since the establishment of the State, as the previous speaker outlined. I use the word “state” in the widest sense because the state is made up of people and there was an attitude among the public as well as its representatives in State authorities that women who became pregnant before they were married had to be hidden. That was something that was often most apparent and obvious within families. Some of the most difficult stories I have heard from constituents about mother and baby homes are reflective of a wider approach that existed in society for far too long. The fact that we are to have a commission of investigation chaired by Judge Murphy is very much to be welcomed. I commend the Minister on that.

Like previous speakers, I have been contacted by a number of women who have in some cases pretty horrific stories about the treatment they received in the homes and also at the hands of their own families and communities. That will be part of the commission’s investigation.

Rather surprisingly, I was also contacted by a constituent who wished to express her gratitude for the treatment she received in a mother and baby home. I do not wish to give away any personal details but she said that at such a difficult juncture in her life she felt it was the only place to which she could go.

I did not expect to hear such a story and I am sure that in the course of the commission's investigations there may be other similar stories. However, with regard to the number of people who have contacted me, the overwhelming number have been people who have very tragic stories of maltreatment in those homes. I commend the Minister on establishing the commission and I wish Judge Murphy and her team success in their endeavours to unearth what is a very difficult and painful chapter in the history of our country.

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