Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In all of this debate, there is no one more important in this horrible, tragic and sad story than the survivors, the victims and those poor little bodies that were found without the recognition of a short life lived and a humane burial but in septic tanks. In recent weeks, we celebrated our national day in Ireland and across the world and gloried in all of our successes and achievements, but the Tuam baby scandal reminds us of a dark chapter in our history and how inhumane our country's history is. In this case, the past is truly another country, but we must acknowledge and learn and we must honour the memory of those who died. We must ensure a proper child protection environment for our children and we must honour and respect our survivors.

Fianna Fáil recognises the vital importance of the commission in delivering justice and accountability for all of those who have been affected. The commission must be able to complete its work of investigating and documenting the abuses and wrongdoing. Many survivors have awaited a report on this matter for decades and we must prioritise the timely completion of the commission's report.

I support the amendment tabled by my colleague, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, which proposes to establish a truth commission in co-operation with survivors groups that would complement the ongoing commission of investigation.

This week, with international mother's day approaching on Sunday, we must remember those mothers who gave birth but never got to be mothers or to love and cherish their children, see them grow up and share in the joys of their lives. Shame on all the men who fathered those children and walked away.

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