Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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68. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on his plans to set up a commission of investigation into mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28014/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Government has undertaken to establish a Commission of Investigation into concerns regarding conditions and related practices in Mother and Baby Homes. I have also publicly confirmed that the intended scope of this investigation will go beyond the home operated by the Sisters of Bon Secours in Tuam, Co. Galway and these announcements have been widely welcomed.

I wish to acknowledge the constructive contribution of Government Deputies and opposition spokespersons with whom I have met in recent days. I look forward to continuing engagement across the House with a view to achieving all-party consensus as the necessary arrangements are finalised.

I have also met with representatives of a number of key advocacy groups and Church leaders, including the Adoption Rights Alliance, First Mothers Group, Bethany Homes Survivors Group, Cúnamh, Adoption Loss and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. I also hope to meet with Archbishop Jackson at his earliest availability.

The submissions made to me during these constructive discussions, together with those received through my Department’s dedicated e-mail facility, will feed into the process. I am confident that this inclusive approach in the essential scoping phase will assist in establishing an inquiry which is capable of effectively addressing these important matters in a sensitive and timely manner.

I am consulting with Government colleagues in relation to the detailed approach to the Commission. We have been well served by the output of the Cross Departmental Review Committee which concluded its output by the due date of the 30th June. In parallel I intend continuing engagement with Opposition spokespersons so that they too have an input into the process.

I can assure the House that I am committed to taking the most appropriate approach to establish the truth in respect of these deeply tragic and disturbing events. It is my intention to bring a resolution before both Houses before the summer recess to facilitate the making of an order to formally establish the Commission.