Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
515. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that the State did not acquire the Bessboro lands when they were in the control of NAMA given the likelihood of burials on the site. [28025/22]
View answerThe 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.
In relation to Bessborough, the Commission concluded that it is likely that some of the children who died in the institution 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.
The Deputy’s question refers to a period which predates the publication of the Commission's report and its conclusions on the Bessborough site. In addition, I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Finance, that NAMA does not typically own or control properties; rather it owns loans for which the properties act as security. Under Section 10 of the National Asset Management Agency Act 2009, it is required to deal expeditiously with its acquired assets and to obtain the best achievable financial return from them. The State has to follow the same procedure as any other potential buyer of loans acquired by NAMA.
I am very conscious of the hurt that continues to be felt by survivors and family members of the people who died while resident in Mother and Baby institutions, including the former institution in Bessborough, Cork. As Minister, I have maintained a close interest in sites associated with these institutions. 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.
It is a matter for the relevant planning authorities to make determinations regarding planned developments at the site of former Mother and Baby institutions, including Bessborough. I have consistently highlighted that adequate consideration should be given to requests from relatives of the deceased, survivors and their families for appropriate access and respectful memorialisation in due course.
In addition 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 burial sites into their development plans.
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.
