Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Calleary sounded decidedly clingy in his contribution. The Taoiseach may wish to reassure him after this sitting that all is well with Fine Gael and its partners in Fianna Fáil.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is preparing legislation to provide lawfully for the phased forensic excavation of the Tuam mother and baby home. The commission's report into the burial arrangements of mother and baby homes makes completing this legislation all the more urgent. The report finds that the burial chambers in Tuam were not a recognised burial ground and did not provide for the dignified internment of human remains, and the House should note the importance of this statement. I am sure all our thoughts today are with the families whose loved ones remain interred in Tuam. Requests for voluntary DNA samples must be advanced and time must be set aside for the Minister to come before the House to discuss this report and set out a timeframe for the excavation in Tuam. Will the Minister therefore come before the House to make a statement and take questions on this matter immediately after the recess?

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