Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2019
32. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to refer the final report of the commission of investigation into mother and baby institutions to An Garda Síochána; if her officials are liaising with officials in the Department of Justice and Equality on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21737/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) was established to facilitate a purely fact finding investigation into matters of significant public concern. The Commission is due to deliver its final report in February 2020 and it is important not to pre-empt the outcome of the Commission's work.
While the Commission is not structured to adjudicate on individual behaviours, nor impose penalties, if its final report reveals issues which are potentially criminal in nature it will of course be referred to the appropriate investigative and prosecution authorities.
Subject to the advice of the Attorney General and Government approval, the report will be published and publicly available for consideration by all relevant authorities.
In the interim, any person with a complaint or allegation of a potentially criminal nature should make a report directly to An Garda Síochána. It is not necessary to await the completion of the Commission's work before doing so.
