Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We can agree on one crucial point, which is the necessity to get this right. I absolutely agree with the Taoiseach on that. I also remind him that in 2014 and 2015, when the Government was preparing this commission of investigation, it was made very clear to the Taoiseach how badly wrong he was getting it and he disregarded that advice.

I also remind the Taoiseach that as far back as 2012, social workers within the HSE, having examined Tuam and Bessborough, another mother and baby home, stumbled across facts so disturbing regarding illegal adoptions and child trafficking that they regarded this as a matter to be brought to the attention of the then Minister, now Senator James Reilly, because they believed it would necessitate a State investigation. Despite all the fine words and even the genuine sentiment the Taoiseach expressed, the track record of the State and his Government is not one of moving with haste and has rather been a foot-dragging exercise. That needs to stop.

When will we see a copy of the interim report? When will it be published? When will the Taoiseach meet victims and survivors? When will he instruct Tusla and other State agencies to stop playing games with survivors and release their records? When will we see serious action by the Government to demonstrate the will the Taoiseach expressed to get this right finally?

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