Written answers
Thursday, 18 June 2015
Department of Children and Youth Affairs
Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries
Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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196. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the commitment he provided in Dáil Éireann, and in a Department press statement dated 19 February 2015, that the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes would shortly announce details of how members of the public will be able to contact the Commission, or make submissions to inform the Commission’s work, the clear implication and public expectation that this initial stage of the Commission's work as interpreted by him extends to all members of the public who wish to make a submission, and not just to the comparatively few remaining members of the public, out of the tens of thousands, who spent time in the Mother and Baby Homes, identified in the Inquiry's terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24457/15]
James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As outlined in my reply to the Deputy last week, a Commission of Investigation is completely independent in the conduct of its investigations. Therefore the precise timing and approach to its work is a matter for the Commission to decide and progress.
I would note however, that the Commissions website www.mbhcoi.ie states that in addition to former residents and employees, they would also like to hear directly from other persons with personal knowledge of the matters under investigation. The Commission website mentions as examplesfamily members of residents and regular visitors or suppliers to the homes. The website also confirms that the Commission will meet in person with former residents and employees and "others with relevant information".
Persons wishing to contact the Commission directly may do so by writing to: Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, 73 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2, email info@mbhcoi.ie or by using the confidential freephone number 1800 806688.
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