Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the publication on 9 January of the terms of reference for the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes and related matters, which will be constituted under the Commission of Investigation Act 2004. This is another step by the Government to deal with the failures of the past. The past was a period when Ireland was ruled politically, for the most part, by Fianna Fáil leader Eamon de Valera as Taoiseach and later as President. This period is often referred to as "De Valera's Ireland". In his book, John Charles McQuaid: Ruler of Catholic Ireland, the writer and journalist John Cooney describes very well what a dark place Ireland could be at this time. It was repressive, autocratic, overbearing and heartless.

The treatment of women and children in these institutions and society at large is a dark chapter in our history, but it is something we must all now face up to no matter how difficult. A transparent and effective investigation by the commission into the manner in which women and their babies were treated in these homes is essential in coming to terms with the past. It is important that what happened to these women and children after their time in the homes is investigated and documented, and that justice is seen to be done. The experience of survivors of these institutions and their families deserves our recognition, although unfortunately many of the survivors have passed on and will not have an opportunity to see the State recognising their situation.

I would like to read into the record of the House the story of Terry Harrison, who has already spoken to the media about her experiences. She gave birth to her son Niall at St. Patrick's home on the Navan Road in Dublin in 1973, having run away from Bessborough House in Cork. Both places are to be investigated by the commission. Her son was adopted through a private adoption society run by the Catholic Church after being taken from his cot in the Dublin home. She said: "My son is now in his 42nd year and I live with it every single day. You think it'd get easier. It gets harder because the further the days go by against me ever, ever being able to hold my son again and give him one hug." She has also said that she has spoken to many women who went through the same ordeal as she did: "Many of them are terrified of showing their faces. In 2015, they still hold the scars, the chains of abuse. We were treated like criminals. No court, no law."

I understand it is proposed to examine 14 mother and baby homes and related institutions, which I welcome. However, I must note that the terms of reference are not perfect and, ideally, all institutions should be investigated.

I welcome the Minister's nomination of Judge Yvonne Murphy as chair of the commission and the experts, Dr. William Duncan and Professor Mary E. Daly. Their expertise, experiences and sensitivity will be essential in achieving a comprehensive assessment of the traumatic and terribly sad stories that will be uncovered and discussed.

This is an important step in delivering on this Government's commitment to establish an effective statutory investigation which can provide a full account of what happened in and around mother and baby homes. I hope there will be enough flexibility and latitude within the terms of reference of the commissions to investigate these experiences completely. I wish the commission well in its task.

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