Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have had two significant exposés of illegal adoptions recently, namely, the "RTÉ Investigates" follow-up programme on illegal adoption practices in the State and then the report from Professor Conor O'Mahony's into the State's response to illegal birth registrations. Tusla is still putting obstacles in the way of some people seeking information in this regard. We saw in the follow-up programme to the original broadcast that obstacles still exist. These reports were both damning and they showed that the State had a significant role in facilitating these practices and now has a role in correcting and repairing past injustices.

Professor O'Mahony's report, as the Minister said, contains 17 recommendations. We welcome confirmation that the State will make an apology. It will go some way to amending some of the human rights violations in this context. We need more clarity, however, concerning what form this inquiry will take. I have reservations if there is no accountability, because people would again be left extremely disappointed. We must be aware that many of the people involved are aged and getting older. While we have known about these practices for approximately 70 years, there is still a need for answers.

We cannot have another report like the one relating to the mother and baby homes, and we are mindful that we cannot wait another seven years for an inquiry.

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