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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Bethany Home decision

Summary

Mary Lou McDonald presses the Government for answers on the Bethany Home mother-and-baby-home issue and says survivors are awaiting action. The Taoiseach says Cabinet will make a decision the following week, amid political interjections and procedural exchanges.

On a separate but perhaps related matter, can I ask the Taoiseach about the Bethany Home issue? He has been questioned on this matter consistently over the last number of months. He indicated, as recently as 25 June, that there would be a decision taken by Government within two weeks. He seem to have resiled from that commitment. I want to know what is going on. It is not a subject of amusement. The Taoiseach has the information in terms of what happened in the Bethany Home. As he knows, it was a mother and baby home.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Thank you, Deputy.

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The victims and survivors are asking for answers. Everybody on the Fine Gael and Labour benches recognised, when in opposition, that the Bethany Home issue had to be addressed. I trust that is still the case now. What is the Taoiseach going to do? When is he going to tell us what it is that he is going to do?

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Deputy, this is the Order of Business and I cannot allow a debate on this matter.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

If the Deputy ever comes in here and even had two positive words to suggest I would be concerned because consistently she has an aura of disappointment and negativity about her that is astounding, to put it mildly.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

In any event, Deputy McDonald asked what are we going to do about the issue she raised. We will make a decision on this at next week's Cabinet meeting.

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Deputy McDonald probably reminds the Taoiseach of himself when he was on this side of the House.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

Now, I always----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

I call Deputy Joan Collins.

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The Taoiseach was very negative back then.

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Bernard Durkan Deputy Bernard J. Durkan Fine Gael

Deputy Martin should remind himself occasionally of when he was on this side of House.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Is the Deputy's name Collins? Deputy Collins to proceed.

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