Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am a member of the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and we heard the heartbreaking testimonies of those affected by the mother and baby homes there. The last time I spoke on this I read testimonies that survivors made to the commission of investigation and I will read testimonies again tonight because it is important to hear these women's' voices. One woman spoke about the conditions her mother endured while giving birth and stated her mother "was tied to the bed and when she couldn't push, one of the nuns sat on her chest to make her". On the immoral and evil practice of forced adoption, one person stated her son:

was wrenched from my breast by one of the nuns whilst I was feeding him and taken away for adoption. ... At no time did I give my consent to my son's adoption.

Another mother spoke about the death of her child:

I do not even know whether he was buried in a coffin. ... There was never even a kind or sympathetic [word] spoken to me.

The psychological impact on mothers has been enormous. A mother said:

The nuns at Bessborough made my life hell and changed my life forever. I could not get over what happened to me. I think I am still in shock, still traumatised. My time at Bessborough was a horrific, horrible experience. ... I think I will die with the pain and trauma that this has caused me during this time.

The reality is that if any of these survivors spent less than six months in a mother and baby institution, they would not be eligible for full redress. This has to be changed for a myriad of reasons. These stories are horrific, harrowing and heartbreaking and it is emotional to read them out on behalf of these women. As these women and children already have been abused by the State, let us not abuse them again.

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