Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 February 2021
189. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons to whom a draft report or relevant part of the draft report of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes was sent pursuant to section 34 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7518/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, a statutory Commission of Investigation is independent of Government in the conduct of its investigations. This independence, which is provided for in law, is a fundamental principle in the establishment of an inquiry under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. As the specified Minister for receiving its reports, I had no role or influence in how the Commission conducted its work.
I am therefore not in a position to provide any clarity on the number of persons to whom a draft report or relevant part of the draft report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes was sent pursuant to section 34 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004.
