Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Five hundred and fifty survivors gave their testimony as part of the mother and baby homes commission investigation. Those recordings were never fully transcribed and they have since been destroyed. That is despite assurances from the Minister in October that survivors would be able to access their own stories and also a clause in the 2004 Commissions of Investigation Act that the commission is required to retain all evidence it receives. It has been reported that the Data Protection Commissioner, DPC, has contacted the commission regarding the destruction of these files. However, the commission is due to be dissolved on 28 February, which is only a few weeks away. It is very important that we do not fail these survivors again. Will the Government immediately extend the term of the commission to enable a full investigation of the destruction of these files and the recovery of any information possible?

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