Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ivana Bacik spoke about the Phoenix syndrome in the context of the Paris bakery in Dublin and the workers involved. Any system under which workers are treated in the way mentioned by the Senator should be amended and dealt with as a matter of urgency. I am sure the matter will be brought to the attention of the relevant Minister.

Senator Ivana Bacik and several other Senators, including Senator Hildegarde Naughton who was the first to raise the issue in the House, referred to the mass grave in Tuam and called for a proper memorial. The Government is treating the issue seriously and actively considering an inquiry into this appalling situation. It is of serious concern that the issue was first raised in 1975. How has it taken so long to deal with it? What happened was shocking and I hope an inquiry will be held as a matter of urgency.

That is also taking into consideration the point made by Senator Hayden calling for a permanent body to be put in place to deal not only with industrial abuse but other abuse which has taken place. We are likely to see more of these situations coming to the fore.

Senator Mullen referred to maternity services in the west and north west, a matter also raised by other Senators. Senator Mullen was not here last week when I advised Senator Ó Clochartaigh to table a matter on the Adjournment on the points he raised. The Minister will be in a position to come to the House to give clear and concise answers to the questions raised by Senator Ó Clochartaigh. I do not think Senator Mullen took part in that debate.