Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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149. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that leaving the Magdalene laundries out of the inquiry being established into the mother and baby homes would leave Ireland in continued breach of international law as an effective investigation into the Magdalene laundries which would discharge Ireland's international human rights obligations to properly investigate allegations of human rights abuses has not taken place (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39195/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Government has undertaken to establish a Commission of Investigation into the concerns relating to Mother and Baby Homes. While I have confirmed that the intended scope of this investigation will go beyond the home operated by the Sisters of Bon Secours in Tuam, Co. Galway the process to develop specific terms of reference continues to be advanced in collaboration with relevant colleagues across Government. Significant progress is being made in this task and I intend to return to the Houses with a draft resolution seeking to establish the Commission as soon as possible.

Since the decision to establish this investigation was announced, there have been calls for the inclusion of a range of other institutions, including the Magdalen Laundries and these are being considered as part of the deliberative process.

With regard to the allegations by the Deputy that the State is in breach of international law as regards the Magdalen Laundries, I wish to reiterate the Government’s rejection of these allegations. As previously outlined by my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality and her predecessor in response to such allegations, if the Deputy has any evidence of human rights abuses constituting criminal offences having been committed in the Magdalen laundries, he should report it to the Gardaí Siochana for criminal investigation.

In addition, I am advised by the Department of Justice and Equality that no individuals claiming to be victims of criminal abuse in Magdalen laundries have made any complaints or requests to that Department seeking further inquiries or criminal investigations.

The Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee to establish the facts of State involvement with the Magdalen Laundries – the McAleese Report was published on 5 February 2013. The contents of the report have been fully accepted by the Irish Government as a comprehensive and objective report of the factual position prepared under the supervision of an independent chairperson.