Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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178. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of recent revelations regarding the discarding of approximately 800 children's bodies in a septic tank at the Bon Secours mother and baby home in Tuam, County Galway, if the interdepartmental review being co-ordinated by his Department will consider a full public inquiry into all mother and baby homes that existed in the State; if the review will seek to establish any wrong doings by the State; and if the reasoning for any decisions it comes to will be fully disclosed to the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24882/14]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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181. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if in the context of the recently announced review and scoping exercise being carried out in relation to the mother and child home operated in Tuam between 1925 and 1961, if it is his Department's intention to expand this review to include other such homes around the country in such a review, including the mother and child home in Castlepollard, County Westmeath, which was run by the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24905/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 181 together.

The revelations in Tuam, Co Galway have brought to the fore the situation in other Mother and Baby Homes throughout the country. The practices in Mother and Baby homes have to date not featured prominently in the various reviews and investigations which have dealt with many of the past abuses which were inflicted on vulnerable citizens, many of them women and children.

It is fully recognised by me and my Government colleagues that we need to establish the truth. Active consideration is being given to the best means of addressing the harrowing details emerging regarding the children who died many years ago in Mother and Baby Homes and the many questions raised regarding these deaths.

The Government has agreed to the establishment of a Commission of Investigation into matters relating to Mother and Baby Homes. Such a Commission will seek the voluntary cooperation of people whose evidence it requires, but is entitled to compel witnesses to give evidence. The Commission’s investigation will not be confined to Tuam and will deal with other related matters regarding the operation of these homes.

The terms of reference of the Commission and its composition are to be worked out with the assistance of the high level Interdepartmental Committee which has been undertaking preliminary scoping in relation to the Mother and Baby Homes issues. Departments involved include the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Health, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. The Interdepartmental Committee will report to me before the end of the month.