Imelda Henry (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Seanad Éireann:- having regard to the motion passed by Dáil Éireann on 11th June 2014 which recognised the need to establish the facts regarding the deaths of children at the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Co. Galway between 1925 and 1961, including arrangements for the burial of these children, and which further acknowledged the considerable public anxiety as to the conditions generally in mother and baby homes operational in the State in that era;
- noting that it is the opinion of the Government that these matters of significant public concern require, in the public interest, examination by the establishment of a Commission of Investigation;
- noting that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has led the Government’s consideration of these sensitive matters;
- noting the factual information compiled, and the specific matters identified for further consideration, in the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on Mother and Baby Homes, which was laid before Seanad Éireann on 16th July 2014, and which has assisted to inform Government considerations on the scope, format and terms of reference for a Commission of Investigation;
- and further noting that a draft Order proposed to be made by the Government under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 (No. 23 of 2004) has been duly laid before Seanad Éireann on 16th January 2015 in respect of the foregoing matters referred to, together with a statement of reasons for establishing a Commission under that Act,approves the draft Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and Certain Related Matters) Order, 2015 and the statement of reasons for establishing a Commission of Investigation.