Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to mark the recent passing of Bethany Home survivor and campaigner, Derek Leinster. With the love and support of his wife Carol, he fought a tremendous battle for all the Bethany Home children, who suffered such horrific neglect and abuse. We owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. Our thoughts are with his daughters, Deborah, Amanda, Gail and Kerry. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

What engagement has the Taoiseach had with church leaders on their respective contributions to the mother and baby home redress scheme? Has progress been made on the matter? I must note again my disappointment with the Government's decision to exclude from the redress scheme children who were boarded out. Religious orders and the State had a direct hand in the exploitation of such children, who were in effect abandoned to devastating exploitation, neglect and abuse within the families and communities to which they were boarded out.

Finally, the Adoption Authority of Ireland has confirmed it is unable to respond to applications for birth and tracing information within the 90-day statutory timeline and that it will be early autumn before current applicants will receive their information. Will the Taoiseach and the Government sign off on the provision of the additional resources identified by the authority to meet its statutory obligation?

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