Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand that. I agree that it is a wider issue. I also understand that the timeframe may need to be wider again. My amendment No. 34, for example, which set a 12-month timeline and dealt with the wider area of information and tracing, might have been something that was more achievable. Although I cannot put that amendment to the Minister because it is not eligible within the rules of this House, I nonetheless urge him to consider it in the Dáil - again, I have given the Minister the parameters but I have also given him a tool that he can use to press for action - and to consider not simply an arrow that he has indicated through the words he has said in his statements in the House.I absolutely accept his bona fides and sincerity in that regard. The previous Minister, Katherine Zappone, was also very sincere on this issue but it was very difficult. That is why I am asking the Minister to embed the next step into this legislation. He will have the prerogative to so do in the Dáil and I hope he will consider putting a marker down. It would give confidence to people if he were to so do.

I echo the comments of Senator Pauline O'Reilly regarding the engagement with stakeholders. Of course, that is important. It is important to state that there is a wide breadth of organisations with an interest in this issue, including groups such as the Tuam mother and baby home survivors, Aontas, the Adoption Rights Alliance, Justice for Magdalenes, the Irish First Mothers group and many others. There is a wide breadth of groups with different experiences and including adoptees, survivors and those who have worked in support of people around specific justice issues or abuse issues within the system. I recognise there is a task of work ahead of the Minister and that he may have a better sense of the timeline in that regard but, even so, I urge him to consider putting in an arrow for at least a report in terms of the timeline such that it will be swiftly achieved. If he does not consider that the next step will be to publish legislation, perhaps the next step should be publishing a report and timeline. That should be achievable within the next year.