Imelda Henry (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and commend the Government on setting up this commission of investigation into mother and baby homes and certain related matters. I compliment the Minister on the speed with which he has brought this investigation into reality with a fixed timeframe for the report. This commission is an effective, prompt and transparent mechanism to investigate complex sensitive matters, while also respecting fair procedures and natural justice.

As we know, the recent revelations in Tuam were very shocking and disturbing, not just for those involved but for the country as a whole. Of course, Tuam was not the only place where the State's record of treating mothers and babies with due respect, love and care was called into question. It is now proposed to investigate 14 mother and baby homes and matters relating to them.

The Commission hopes to identify, among other things the extent to which the child's welfare and protection were considered in practices relating to their placement in Ireland or abroad. It also hopes to identify the extent of participation of mothers in relevant decisions including the procedures that were in place to obtain consent from others in respect of adoption, and whether these procedures were adequate for the purpose of ensuring such consent was full, free and informed.

The publication of the terms of reference of this investigation and the fact that the commission can decide to widen its remit if, and when, it feels it is necessary is a very good start. The commission may make any recommendations it considers appropriate in any of its reports. This is not limited to matters within the direct scope of its investigations; it may also include issues it considers warrant further investigation in the public interest.

I welcome that the commission will be able to appoint persons with relevant professional expertise and specialist skills to assist in its investigations.

It is important for those mothers involved that we find out how they came to be there, how they were treated, what happened to them in these homes and indeed what happened to them and their children when they left. The unfortunate and unpalatable fact is that many mothers and babies never left these homes, and the bodies of many babies have been found to have been buried in anonymous mass graves.

I welcome the amendment to include widows and married women living separately from their husbands. I understand the Minister met many women who had been in these homes and they shared their experiences with him. I praise and thank them for their courage in revisiting those dreadful times and sharing their compelling experiences with him.

I wish the chair, Judge Yvonne Murphy, and the commission, well with their work. I am confident that they will ensure we get a true and accurate analysis of what happened in these homes.