Seanad debates

Tuesday, 28 February 2023

Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters

Mother and Baby Homes

12:30 pm

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

It is important to say that we are setting up a separate agency that will undertake the work specifically at Tuam, and important that it is at a clear remove from Government. Obviously, it will be funded through my Vote but the director will take decisions independently. In order to support the director so it does not just become an entirely bureaucratic process, we have this advisory board. The advisory board will have two representatives of either family members or former residents of the institutions and the local authority will also be represented, which ties it into those kinds of local structures to ensure there is information about what will be happening. The investigation works on the site will be a lengthy process and even after the physical works onsite have ended, there will, of course, be the identification process, the engagement with families in terms of reburial and the question of what site will be chosen. There is a mechanism built in so there is a board comprising family members or former residents, but also long-term engagement with the other families to ensure we can keep them informed and engaged, so they feel they are part of the overall decision making process.

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