Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 January 2015
488. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will make arrangements for the exhumation of a child (details supplied) in order to determine cause of death and based on the evidence uncovered, if he will include the case in the inquiry into mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49480/14]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that I have recently received correspondence directly from a solicitor representing the family involved in this case. This correspondence encloses a series of communications over recent years between the family, the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Garda Commissioner.
The papers refer to the detailed investigations which have been undertaken by an Garda Síochána in relation to these matters. Although the position of the Garda authorities is that there is no substantive evidence alleging any criminal act or other matters upon which to base a request for an Exhumation Order, the Minister for Justice and Equality has asked the Dublin Coroner to review the case. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I do not have specific powers to make arrangements for exhumations, but I will refer the details supplied by the Deputy to Minister Frances Fitzgerald for her consideration pending the outcome of the current review.
With regard to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, I announced the proposed terms of reference for this investigation last week and relevant details are available on my Department’s website.
From the information available, it would appear that the case raised by the Deputy would not be within the remit of this particular Commission. However as an independent Commission it will be a matter for Commission to decide how it proceeds with its investigations. Once established, the Commission will publicise its contact details and the family may wish to consider providing the Commission with any information in their possession which they consider may be relevant to its terms of reference.
