Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes. Gabhaim mo bhuíochas as ucht an deis chun labhairt ar an rún fíorthábhachtach seo anocht. I commend my colleagues, Deputies Ó Laoghaire and Funchion, on their work on this serious issue, which is one that needs to be resolved. The people in question need closure in their lives. I commend Deputy Ó Laoghaire on tabling the motion, which I hope all parties will support. Every Deputy has been shocked by the recent revelations about the Tuam mother and baby home, just as we have been disgusted by the treatment of women in the Magdalen laundries and institutions run by the State.

The commission of investigation into the mother and baby homes has been set up in the midst of widespread criticism of its inadequate terms of reference. Sinn Féin has tabled numerous amendments and strenuously voiced its concerns about the terms of reference, yet these have gone ignored. Those who suffered in the system but were not at the listed mother and baby homes have been excluded. Survivors' groups have criticised the behind closed doors hearings and the perceived lack of transparency.

This motion seeks to establish a truth commission that would allow for the voices of all victims and survivors to be heard in public or private, whichever the individual wishes. At the end of the day, it is these people who need to be consulted. Their voices must be listened to and respected. The truth commission will build and expand on the work of the commission of investigation and prove a useful vehicle in getting to the truth about some of the darkest stains on the State's history. It may provide some comfort and closure to survivors and would allow access to the truth for those who have been excluded from the commission of investigation.

The State has the simple duty to help these survivors and get the answers they so badly deserve. They cannot get closure until they have those answers. To that end, I call on every Deputy to support the motion.

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