Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Katherine Zappone, is this week in receipt of the report from the expert technical group on the mother and baby issues in Tuam. The story has been covered by all the national media today. The Department has confirmed that the Minister is in receipt of this critical and highly informative report. The report is technical in nature. Clearly, the Minister is going to need time to reflect on it. I understand that the report is with the Attorney General as well. Therefore, it has not been dealt with or considered by Cabinet. Through my contacts I am led to believe this is the position today. It is an important report. We have debated the matter at length in this House.

Will the leader facilitate a debate, when appropriate? Clearly, people need to discuss it. It is a sensitive issue and affects many people, including the extended families of those affected. Their considerations and sensitivities are of primary concern at this stage. When appropriate, will the Leader ask the Minister, Deputy Zappone, to attend the House and update us on the matter?While I am on that point, it is also important to note that the Bar Council has today announced that the historian, Catherine Corless, who carried out all the work which led to this initial investigation is to be bestowed with its human rights award in recognition of her amazing work. It is a great honour that the Bar Council should decide to bestow that human rights upon her. It is important that we in the House know that.

I thank the Leader for arranging for a slot on the Order of Business next Thursday to deal with the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016. Hopefully we will have a short opportunity to tease out some of the issues with the Minister. I thank the Leader for organising that.