Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the request by the group in question to remove the word "home" from the arrangements for the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes and certain related matters and to replace it with the word "institution". When the term "home" is used to describe institutions such as mother and baby homes, it may not sit easily with some given the general perception and understanding that this word generates in the minds of the majority of people. For this reason, I appreciate the emotional impact of using this word instead of more a generic term such as "institution", which I understand the group may consider more acceptable.

It is important to emphasise the commission is a statutory entity legally established by Government order. The language used must be viewed in the context of the requirements of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. The Act is the backdrop for the commission’s work. Its general functions, powers, procedures and protections are laid down in this enabling legislation. If the language used in the order were too vague or did not use the terminology in use at the time these institutions were in being, it could delay or potentially undermine the work of the commission. Changing the commission's name would require an amendment to the Government order and I have no plans to make such an amendment at this time. Making such a change when the commission is more than halfway through its work would risk creating confusion among those who have already contributed to the investigation or who may plan to do so in the future.

It is my hope that this commission's work will help us all come to a better understanding of how society treated mothers and children in these homes and how attitudes, policy and legislation has changed over the period.

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