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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Bethany Home review and lobbying Bill

Summary

Deputy McDonald presses for a review of the Bethany Home deaths and asks about the lobbying Bill. Deputy Quinn will communicate her concerns to the new Justice Minister and says the lobbying Bill will be taken this session.

I have two matters. The Minister last took Leaders' Questions on 3 April and, on that occasion, I raised the issue of the Bethany Home with him. He will recall that the previous day, 2 April, a memorial stone had been unveiled to the more than 200 infants and children who died in that mother and baby home in Rathgar. At that point, the Minister committed to contacting the then Minister for Justice and Equality with a view to reviewing that case. I am very disappointed that the promising words he said in April were very promptly rowed back on subsequently by his ministerial colleague. Now that the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, is in situ, I ask again that the Minister, Deputy Quinn, requests of Government to review this case because it is an ongoing and very deep injustice to the survivors concerned.

On a second issue, can the Minister advise us on the regulation of lobbying Bill? I understood this legislation was to be published and substantially progressed by the summer yet we have not seen its publication.

Comment on this

With regard to the second question, I can assure the Deputy the lobbying Bill will be taken this session. With regard to the Bethany Home issue which she raised the last time I took these questions, I will communicate her remarks to new Minister for Justice and Equality.

Comment on this