Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Government’s decision to carry out a full forensic excavation and DNA testing of children’s remains at the site of the Tuam mother and baby home. I know the Minister recognises it will be a huge logistic and scientific undertaking. It is an extremely important decision and is the correct response by the Minister.

This episode in our past is a gigantic blot on our religious institutions and how they cared for and, in this case, did not care for children entrusted to their care. Without the intervention and investigation of this site by the historian, Catherine Corless, and the publication of her findings we would not be aware of this awful episode in our past.

The lack of care, compassion and respect for these vulnerable children is still unbelievable. However, when we add the total disregard for their dignity and humanity in manner of their disposal rather than burial, the gravity of what happened is compounded. It is incomprehensible today that only a few generations ago, this behaviour was going on in a religious institution, run by members of a female religious order, who should have had compassion as one of their guiding principles.

Illegitimacy seems to have diminished the children’s human rights in the eyes of the nuns in the Bon Secours order. When they should have received even greater care and understanding, as they were not responsible for their plight, they were treated in a shameful way. Every one of the 796 children had a mother and father whose rights were also diminished in an appalling manner in the events that unfolded in Tuam.

As there are undoubtedly other sites where events like this were perpetrated, this may only be the start of a long journey. I welcome the commitment to individualisation and identification of as many remains as possible, and that there will be individual burials in a respectful manner. Between 1926 and 1960, a total of 796 children died at Tuam mother and baby home. Undoubtedly some of these children would have died of inevitable natural causes, but such a death rate seems out of proportion with the general population. This is over four times the number of seats in this Chamber.

Deaths were recorded but no information on why they died or where they were buried was recorded. No post mortems or inquests were carried out. It is inconceivable that these deaths were not known outside of the order. I hope that this forensic examination will start the healing process and bring some closure and peace to families of survivors. As Catherine Corless said, it is a huge statement for justice.

The Minister indicated that bespoke legislation will be now needed prior to beginning the examination of the site.

I ask that the cross-departmental group be set up as quickly as possible so the legislation can be brought to fruition.

Justice, truth and healing are essential components of this investigation, and we need to offer the Minister our sincere thanks in making this correct and important decision.

Sculptor Jim Connelly, who works from Kilbaha, County Clare, is working on an evocative and poignant commemorative piece depicting a faceless nun holding a child standing beside its mother. This work is partially finished. When completed, it will be a tangible and emotional memorial to the events that have been uncovered in Tuam.

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