Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Boyhan for giving me an opportunity to speak about the Institutional Burials Act and the preparations under way for an intervention under the legislation at the site of the former mother and baby institution in Tuam, County Galway.

The Institutional Burials Act 2022, which came into operation on 15 July 2022, provides the underlying legislative basis for an intervention whereby the remains of those who died in residential institutions, in respect of which a public body has or had a relevant role, and who were buried in a manifestly inappropriate manner, may be recovered and re-interred in a respectful and appropriate way. As Senators will be aware, the legislation was developed in response to the abhorrent situation at the Tuam site where it was confirmed that children's remains had been discovered that were interred in a manifestly inappropriate manner and the Government was advised that a full forensic-standard excavation, recovery and identification of those remains could not take place under existing legislation. Shortly following enactment, on 27 July, the Government approved my proposal to establish an independent office under the legislation to oversee the excavation, recovery, post-recovery analysis and identification, if possible, of the children’s remains at the Tuam site. As required under the Act, a draft of the Government order directing me to intervene, as well as a statement of the reasons for making the order, were then laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas for a resolution. Following the resolutions in both Houses in September, the Government on 4 October made an order directing the establishment of the Office of Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam and the appointment of a director to head up the office.

The recruitment campaign for a director to lead the intervention was launched by the Public Appointments Service in November. We felt that something of this importance needed the independence of the Public Appointments Service to operate it. I understand that the campaign, which is being managed independently of my Department, is expected to conclude in the coming weeks and I hope to be in a position to appoint the director in this quarter of 2023, that is, by the end of March. Once appointed, the director will need to engage a range of appropriately qualified experts to undertake the excavation, recovery and post-recovery analysis processes. Engineering works and the construction of onsite facilities will also be required in advance of excavation of the site, which will get under way as soon as possible. In this regard, it is important to note that funding of almost €7 million has been secured for the 2023 costs of this multi-annual intervention.

The intervention at the Tuam site is an absolute priority for me. It is imperative that we seek to afford the children there a dignified and respectful burial. I am confident that this hugely important intervention will get under way as soon as possible following the appointment of a director.

The Senator asked about engagement. A key function of the director will be to provide regular updates on his or her work to families, other stakeholders and the general public, which will help to ensure that everyone is kept aware of the plans and how work on the site is progressing. Under the Act, the Minister is required to appoint an advisory board to provide advice and guidance to the director in undertaking his or her functions. The director must consult the board at regular intervals, including at key decision points. The board, which will be chaired by a former coroner or someone with coronial expertise, will also include representatives of family members and former residents. Just as we are looking to appoint a director soon, work is already under way in terms of the appointment of an advisory board.