Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. If I may be so bold, I will speak on behalf of members of the Committee on Children and Youth Affairs and the Minister. It is only by chance that the Minister and members of the committee were able to make it to the Chamber for this debate because we had a meeting this morning on the important matter of the Department's Vote. This is wrong because statements in the House are important and the Minister and members of the committee should have been afforded the opportunity to attend for the entire discussion.

I remember following with disbelief the unfolding story of mass graves being found on the grounds of the former mother and baby home in Tuam. It would be remiss of me to make a contribution on such an important and sensitive topic without recognising the work undertaken by many people who strove over the years to give a voice to survivors and victims of acts that took place in the mother and baby homes. I acknowledge, in particular, the work done by Catherine Corless in bringing to light the incredibly callous treatment that has been unearthed at the mother and baby home in Tuam, County Galway. I am aware that Tuam is the home town of my colleague seated beside me, the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Canney. It is difficult to comprehend that so many babies were buried in Tuam and other locations, including those to which Deputy Buckley referred, in a manner that did not afford them even the slightest dignity. It is awful that these babies' graves were unmarked. It is horrific not to memorialise a child or any other person who has passed. That it was done by a religious institution with the knowledge of the State makes it even worse.

The full truth must be brought to light in the interests of justice for every individual who was a resident of or had a connection with the mother and baby home in Tuam. They must have their voices heard and must be given an opportunity to make their views known. In that regard, I welcome the ongoing work of the independent commission of investigation.

Society must not hide from the events that have taken place in this country, whether recently or in the long distant past. We must fully confront the treatment that took place in mother and baby homes under the watchful eye of religious orders and with the full knowledge of the State. The only way in which we can ensure all those affected are afforded protection is to respect them and provide them with the opportunity to have their voices heard.

I prepared extensive notes on the understanding that I would have more speaking time. I will attempt to condense my remarks and be as concise and precise as possible. The former Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, apologised in this Chamber on behalf of the State to the individuals affected by this issue, both historically and currently. The only institutions that have not apologised in a meaningful way are the religious orders. It is regrettable that the former custodians of morals in this State have not been Christian enough to apologise. Their failure to do so speaks volumes to me and several other Deputies who had the good grace to raise the issue with me this morning.

It is important to acknowledge that many members of the public who have been discussed in the House in the context of mother and baby homes in various locations, not only Tuam, do not want compensation. Some of them are perfectly entitled to compensation and I hope they will receive it but many of them simply want an apology. It is appropriate that the message Members of the Oireachtas send to those who are following the debate is that the treatment meted out with the full knowledge of the State was wrong. We must, through the good work of the commission of investigation, reach a conclusion on this matter and take appropriate and timely steps on the mother and baby homes in Tuam and elsewhere in order that the individuals who survived know that somebody cares. I trust the Minister and the Cabinet will do just that.

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