Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is another very significant piece of legislation to deal with those legacy issues from the horrific events of the mother and baby institutions. We support the introduction of this Bill primarily around that statutory basis and framework to authorise interventions at Tuam where manifestly inappropriate burials took place.

I have some concerns. The Minister touched on some of them, but some more information would definitely be welcome, particularly in regard to other sites, the role and function of the agency director, the 20 m distance mentioned by my colleague, Deputy Funchion, and the definition of what constitutes a relative. We know that children died in greater numbers in these homes at a much higher rate than was normal at the time. We know that they died of malnutrition, neglect and severe mistreatment and that they were cruelly discarded in unconsecrated grounds, septic tanks and mass graves. It is because we know this that the role of the coroner will be crucial in any and all investigations. There can be very little doubt that what happened in Tuam could most likely have happened in other institutions throughout the country. I have some reservations as to whether this legislation will sufficiently address those other sites. They too also deserve to be thoroughly investigated.

I would like to read into the record a quote from email that I am sure the Minister also received this afternoon from Breda Murphy, the PRO of Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance. She says:

The proposed legislation will outlive us to impact and dictate how we as a society/country treat our deceased who have not been afforded due rights at the time of death and subsequent burial or as in the case of Tuam, disposal of remains. The report to State by Dr. Geoffrey Shannon focused on the rights of the deceased continuing after death; the rights to a dignified burial and the rights of family to know of how their deceased loved one lost their lives.

As legislators, we have a responsibility to those who seek answers and pursue what is right that as technology and science advances we remain open to, when necessary, amend legislation to ensure it delivers that truth for those who seek it. Fundamentally, people want to know the detail and the context in which their loved ones died and to ensure they have a proper and dignified burial.

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