Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 September 2014
148. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date of publication of the terms of reference of the inquiry into the mother and baby homes; the level of consultation he and his predecessors have had with the interested parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36178/14]
View answerThis Government is committed to establishing an effective Commission of Investigation into matters relating to Mother and Baby Homes. Considerable progress has been achieved to date in this important task, including the publication of the Inter-Departmental Group’s Report and the announcement that Judge Yvonne Murphy will Chair this independent statutory investigation. It is my intention to bring a Memorandum to Government as quickly as possible setting out the proposed Terms of Reference and to return to the Houses with a draft order to establish the Commission.
Discussions in this regard are on-going with the Attorney General and colleagues across Government with a view to finalising our deliberations in early course. In parallel with this work, my Department is advancing the legislative and logistical arrangements required to establish the Commission.
Given the breadth and scale of the issues involved, and our experience of previous statutory inquiries, it is apparent that precise terms of reference are required to ensure the Commission is set up on the most sound footing possible. This is a complex undertaking and it is right to take the necessary time for drafting to ensure the Commission can deliver on public expectations in a realistic manner.
My predecessor, Minister Flanagan, previously met with representatives of a number of key advocacy groups and Church leaders, including the Adoption Rights Alliance, First Mothers Group, Bethany Homes Survivors Group, Cúnamh, Adoption Loss and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. I have also recently met with Archbishop Michael Jackson. The submissions made during these constructive discussions, together with more than 120 written submissions received by my Department, are a valuable input to the deliberative process.
The Inter-Departmental Group’s Report has served to stimulate and further inform public debate on these important matters. As matters progress in the coming weeks it is my intention to arrange further engagements with opposition spokespersons and other stakeholders in order to update them on the emerging issues and seek their further views. I am confident that this inclusive approach will assist in establishing an inquiry which is capable of effectively addressing these important matters in a sensitive and timely manner.
