Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
550. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will bring forward proposals to carry out excavations at all former mother and baby institutions and county homes. [3757/21]
View answerThe General Scheme of the Certain Institutional Burials (Authorised Interventions) Bill seeks to provide a legal basis to carry out a programme of phased, forensic-standard excavation, exhumation and reinterment of remains at the site of the former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam.
The Scheme would also provide a legal basis for interventions of a similar nature to take place at current or former institutional sites other than the Tuam site, if Government deemed that necessary in specific circumstances. This is notwithstanding the view that, from a legal and ethical perspective, it may be considered appropriate to leave burials undisturbed wherever possible. In this context, therefore, a burial site must be manifestly inappropriate and meet other certain defined criteria in order for Government to consider an intervention.
The investigation of burial arrangements of persons who died while resident in Mother and Baby Homes was a key focus of the terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation. It dedicated significant time and effort to advancing its investigations into these matters. As it stands, we do not have reason to believe that the extraordinary and disturbing burial practices such as those at the former “Home” in Tuam prevailed at any other Mother and Baby institution. Given the extensive investigation of burials conducted by the Commission, with the full suite of powers available to it, it is not clear that further investigation can uncover additional information regarding burial practices or locations.
