Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1327. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason requests by individuals and groups to have their evidence heard in public have been refused by the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16714/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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In accordance with section 9 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, it is essential to recognise that the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes is independent in the performance of its functions. The engagement with witnesses is a matter for the Commission to manage and progress and I do not have any role or information in this regard.

The legislative framework requires that evidence is given in private to facilitate fact finding while also protecting the rights of all individuals and groups to fair procedure. The Commission may hear all or part of the evidence of a witness in public if it is satisfied that it is in the interests of both the investigation and fair procedures to do so, or where the Commission agrees to the request of a witness to provide all or part of his or her evidence in public. These are operational considerations for the independent Commission.