Written answers

Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Departmental Properties

Photo of Gary GannonGary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

144. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will purchase the land at Bessborough or investigate if a compulsory purchase order is possible to protect the site from development and to allow for a detailed investigation for burial sites. [33246/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes was established in 2015 to investigate and report on a wide range of issues associated with Mother and Baby institutions, including burial practices. The Commission’s Fifth Interim report, which was published in March 2019, covered burial arrangements in the institutions. The final report of the Commission was published in January 2021.

The Commission concluded that it is likely that some of the children who died in Bessborough are buried in the grounds but was unable to find any physical or documentary evidence of this. The Commission carried out cartographic and landscape assessments of possible unrecorded burial arrangements and also followed up with people on responses to its appeal seeking information about burials in Bessborough. As no evidence of locations was found, the Commission did not consider it feasible to excavate the full available site, which amounts to 60 acres. 

Given the uncertainties regarding burials at Bessborough it would be challenging to devise a Compulsory Purchase Order scheme. Direct state intervention on private property would be potentially disproportionate if based on speculative grounds and even unconstitutional as a result.

I have engaged with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with a view to supporting local authorities, including Cork City Council, in incorporating appropriate policies on protection of burial sites into their development plans. Cork City Council's recent decision to afford protection to an area in the grounds of Bessborough is worth highlighting in this context.

It is a matter for relevant planning authorities, Cork City Council and An Bord Pleanála in this instance, to make determinations regarding planned developments in the grounds of Bessborough. I consistently highlighted that it is important to have regard to any need for further investigations by appropriate experts in relation to works commencing on a site like Bessborough. I also emphasised that any development should give adequate consideration to requests from survivors and their families for appropriate access and respectful memorialisation. In 2021, I made submissions to An Bord Pleanála and Cork City Council as part of the normal planning process in respect of two planning applications made on the Bessborough lands, requesting that due consideration be given to the sensitivity of the site and the conclusions of the Commission. An Bord Pleanála refused permission to develop the area in question because it was not satisfied that the site was not previously used as a children’s burial ground.

I will continue to raise the importance of respectful treatment of sites linked to former Mother and Baby institutions and promote engagement with relatives of the deceased, former residents and other stakeholders for that purpose.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.