Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1670. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made to date with the investigation into the mother and baby home in Tuam, County Galway; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that soil has been removed from the site by the investigation team; the steps taken to secure the safety of this soil in view of the sensitive nature of the investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41885/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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At the outset, it is important to stress that the statutory Commission of Investigation is independent in the conduct of its investigations.

I am aware that the Mother and Baby Homes Commission has undertaken test excavations at the site of the Children's Burial Ground/Memorial Garden located in the Dublin Road Housing Estate, Tuam, Co. Galway. The Commission has publicly stated that a sample of the site was being excavated to resolve a number of queries that the Commission has in relation to the interment of human remains at this location. The Commission has also clarified that only a fraction of the site would be excavated through test trenches, the location of which have been informed by a Geophysical Survey previously carried out at the site in October 2015.

The Deputy may wish to seek further information directly from the Commission.