Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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168. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if all interviews with the confidential committee of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes will be recorded, unless a witness does not consent to this. [28199/15]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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169. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if transcripts and audio copies of any recordings of witness interviews conducted by the confidential committee of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes will be provided to witnesses. [28200/15]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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170. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the area of expertise of the experienced person taking notes when a witness is being interviewed by the confidential committee of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes ; and if a copy of any notes taken by this person will be sent to witnesses after the conclusion of the interview. [28201/15]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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171. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if witnesses to the confidential committee of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes will have an opportunity to clarify anything they believe does not reflect their testimony. [28202/15]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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172. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if witnesses to the confidential committee of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes will be provided a copy of the general report of the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28203/15]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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173. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the commission of investigation is directing witnesses to the confidential committee of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes as the first point of contact, as opposed to the investigation of the commission of investigation into mother and baby Homes. [28204/15]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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174. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a document will be made available to witnesses who wish to engage with the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes. [28205/15]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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176. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the plans of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes for engaging with witnesses who live abroad. [28207/15]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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177. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the confidential committee of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes and-or the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes will be accepting evidence from persons who were in institutions, other than the 14 institutions listed in the terms of reference. [28208/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 174, inclusive, 176 and 177 together.

The Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) was established by Government Order on 17 February 2015 (S.I. No 57 of 2015) pursuant to Sections 3 and 7(2)(a) of the Commissions of Investigations Act 2004. The 2004 Act gives the Commission robust powers to conduct investigations within its terms of reference in the manner it considers appropriate while also respecting fair procedures and natural justice.

The Order sets out the Terms of Reference for the Commission and provides for a comprehensive investigative framework involving interlinked and concurrent lines of inquiry. Articles 3 and 4 provide for the establishment and operation of the Confidential Committee module of the investigation. This module of the Commission's work is intended to facilitate individuals who may wish to provide accounts of their experiences of living or working in relevant homes to the Commission.

In accordance with section 9 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, it is essential to recognise that the Commission is independent in the performance of its functions and in deciding how best to approach its investigations. I am therefore not in a position to advise the House on the detailed procedural arrangements and related operational matters raised by the Deputy. I have no role in decisions relating to the ongoing investigation and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on matters which are for the independent Commission to decide and progress.

The Deputy may wish to contact the Commission directly at 73 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2 or by email; info@mbhcoi.ie.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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175. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the legal basis for the confidential committee of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes. [28206/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters was established by Government Order on the 17th February 2015 (S.I. No 57 of 2015) pursuant to Sections 3 and 7(2)(a) of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004.

The Confidential Committee module of the Commission is provided for in Articles 3 and 4 of the Schedule to the Order. The Government Order and a number of related explanatory documents are available on my Department’s website (www.dcya.gov.ie).