James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The amendments tabled also request me to consider listing particular children's homes and orphanages alongside mother and baby homes. I am satisfied that the terminology being used, together with associated definitions, provides the commission with the opportunity to examine all relevant entities, whether they be care settings, agencies, societies or individuals who engaged with mother and baby homes for the purposes of placement or adoption of children from same. We know this will involve a wide range and number of different types of entities. Prescribing a list from the outset could risk limiting the extent of this strand of the investigation. Furthermore, and in the interests of maintaining the required focus on mother and baby homes, it must be recognised that other inquiries have examined related concerns, including allegations of abuse in a wide range of children's care settings and State involvement in the Magdalen laundries. I acknowledge that some may have wished to include an even more diverse range of matters within the terms of reference, but we must be clear and realistic in our approach and expectations.

Given that the matters within the scope of this investigation have not been central to any previous inquiry, it would be premature at this point to consider redress in respect of any matter within the scope of this investigation. This is part of the rationale for a commission of investigation. In the absence of relevant information, it would be difficult to make determinations on issues as potentially complex as the question of redress. Although not explicitly tasked with considering that question, the commission has the authority to make recommendations in respect of the matter in any of its reports.

This motion is another tangible step in delivering on the Government's commitment to establish a statutory investigation, with all of the necessary powers, to provide a full account in a timely manner of what happened to vulnerable women and children in mother and baby homes. I will echo Deputy Buttimer's comments. We as a society judged these women and children when what they most needed was support and help. He was right - it is our shame as a society, not theirs as individual citizens. What happened was presided over by us, no one else. This commission will be of critical help to us in understanding ourselves. I commend the motion to the House.

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