Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As we are all aware, in the coming weeks we approach the publication of the final report of the commission of investigation into the mother and baby homes. This publication and surrounding story will most certainly be an emotional time in our storied history.

A raw wound will be reopened and we must do all we can to heal that wound. It is important that those who have contacted us feel heard and that those who never spoke of what they went through feel heard through their silence. We need to begin a process of healing and to complete the process of telling as comprehensive a story as possible of what happened in these homes.

There needs to be clarity as to how these people will access their records. Will there be access for people adopted unlawfully? I raised the urgency of this kind of access with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman, yesterday. We cannot have the kind of misinformation we had around the most recent legislation. There is still confusion out there. So much of that Bill caused hurt. Official rulings criticised the Bill and amends had to be made. New legislation is vital. People need to be assured their files are not sealed and information is not destroyed. The Taoiseach needs to assure the people of Ireland that they can access their information.

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