Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Page 86 of the programme for Government contains a commitment to tackle the issue of human trafficking while page 98 makes reference to equality and the inclusion of marginalised groups. Do these commitments mean that those affected by the horrific events in mother and baby homes will see the report brought forward as a result? What went on in these homes through the decades was human trafficking with babies being stolen from mothers and sent mainly to America.

I have been working with members of the Seán Ross Abbey in Roscrea, especially Teresa Collins and Mike Donovan, and they deserve answers. At first, they were told that a small number of deaths took place in these facilities, but now it is accepted that more than 1,000 children died in Roscrea, some in very dubious circumstances. They are being told that more than half of the 1,000 died from heart attacks. I ask the Taoiseach to give a commitment to carry out further ground scans of the area around Seán Ross Abbey to allay people's fears that other unmarked sites contain more bodies.

The former Minister, Katherine Zappone, was to publish a report on two different occasions but, as with many other reports, this was delayed.

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It is scheduled to be published by 30 October at the latest but can we expect it earlier? Will the Taoiseach make a statement on this matter and assure these families that there will be no more delays?

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