Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the proposal to delete the word "may" and substitute "shall", I understand why the amendment is being proposed. However, I cannot support it. We need to allow a latitude that intervention does not occur because it may be the desire of the mothers of babies interred for there to be no intervention. I can think of instances such as Bessborough where mothers want to be able to sit beside where their baby is interred and there are many others in a similar situation. To substitute the word "shall" would oblige the Minister to act. I do not believe that is correct. There needs to be discretion and the word "may" within the legislation provides for that discretion.