Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The first words that I wish to say are "thank you" to the 346 former residents and others who have thus far come forward to provide what must have been difficult testimony to the commission. It is to be hoped the final report, when published, will shine an eternal light on one of the darkest and most disturbing and horrifying chapters of our troubled social history.

I record my disappointment and, I have no doubt, the utter disappointment of the former residents of these homes at the delay in completing and issuing the final report. The final report will not present until February next year instead of this month.

Having read the third interim report, I consider it of the utmost importance that immediate extra resources are provided to the investigation to ensure no further delays. It is clear from the report that the reason for the delay is the sheer volume of material that needs to be examined and, furthermore, the need to carry out further examinations of the religious orders and the health authorities to ensure all relevant material is uncovered and investigated. That will add to the workload.

Like other colleagues in the Chamber, my primary concern will always be the survivors. I welcome the collaborative forum to be set up following the publication of this interim report. I note that the forum will be comprised of interested persons. I recommend to the Minister that the majority of these interested persons should be former residents.

I deem it an absolute priority that the remaining 200 persons who have applied to have their testimony heard need that to happen. This is a further reason I call for more resources to be made available. There can be no more delays in moving towards the completion of this process and the publication of the final report. Further injustice is being heaped on the survivors by delay after delay. Many of these survivors are elderly and some are quite ill at this point in their lives. Many, I am sad to say, have passed away.

Those of us in Sinn Féin believe an interim redress scheme should be put in place in advance of the publishing of the final report to provide some immediate comfort and dignity for survivors. They have suffered so much. Such a scheme would ensure we do not see a situation where so many have passed away without even some gesture from the State. I urge the Minister to take that recommendation on board.

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