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

My party, Fianna Fáil, welcomed the commission and its establishment as a vital recognition of the considerable harm that mothers and their children experienced in mother and baby homes throughout the country. We saw the commission as a means to bring justice to the victims of these homes. However, while the commission was established in February 2015, which was four years ago this month, to investigate the concerns related to the institutional care of unmarried mothers and their babies, we must recognise and acknowledge why it was set up. It was established on foot of disturbing reports that a significant number of human remains had been discovered at the site of the former Bon Secours mother and baby home in Tuam, County Galway. Like previous speakers, I pay tribute to Catherine Corless who did exemplary work to ensure that the story got out and that the victims would have the opportunity to be treated with dignity and so on.

The deeply saddening discovery of five years ago, the aftermath of which continues, underscores the importance of the ongoing commission of investigation into mother and baby homes throughout the country. The initial report of the commission was originally due in February 2018 but it was granted an extension. It is a little disappointing that the commission now has another year to publish its final report, which will now be available in 2020 at the earliest. The Government has stated, however, that it can make no decision on compensating the dwindling band of former residents until the commission has delivered its final report. Some survivors of these institutions who are in their later years are losing hope that they will ever see a report from the commission. Fianna Fáil is disappointed to see yet another extension to the commission of investigation's timeline, particularly for the survivors and their families, who have waited for the report for one year and will continue to do so for another year. The Government must do everything in its power to ensure the report is completed as soon as possible. I take on board Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan's point about closure. There will never be complete closure but there is a way to recognise what women and their children went through. We must try to acknowledge what happened and restore some dignity to the survivors. That is extremely important.

Although we must try to reach some type of conclusion in supporting the survivors who have waited a long time and must establish some type of dignified memorial on the site, we are speaking about historical abuse of women and children. We cannot lose sight of women and children who are suffering today. Some 1,400 children are in direct provision, while almost 4,000 children are in emergency accommodation. While it is important that we look back on the wrong deeds that were done to the children of years past and a previous generation, there must be a renewed focus on supporting children who are currently in direct provision and emergency accommodation. I have no doubt that in 20, 30 or 40 years' time, Deputies will stand in the Chamber and discuss what was done and not done to help those children. A commission may be put in place at that point to investigate why more was not done for them.

I thank the Minister of State for listening. I have no doubt that she will convey our messages to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the Cabinet.

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