Mother and baby homes inquiry
Mary Lou McDonald seeks the inquiry’s terms of reference, survivor input and progress on the Adoption (Tracing and Information) Bill, especially for Protestant institutions such as Westbank. The Taoiseach says the terms are nearly complete and the legislation is due next year.
When can we expect to see the terms of reference for the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes and other institutions?
Comment on this
Could the Taoiseach tell us when the terms of reference might come before the Dáil, whether we will have the opportunity to amend those terms of reference and whether they will be seen by survivors and advocacy groups? The Taoiseach is probably aware that there is significant concern among the survivors of the Westbank orphanage and some of the other Protestant institutions that they will be excluded from the terms of reference.
Could the Taoiseach tell us the progress of the Adoption (Tracing and Information) Bill? I understand it is due for publication some time in 2015 but it is a very urgent piece of legislation. I understand that it is complex but could the Taoiseach give a more concrete indication of when we might see it?
Comment on this
It is due next year. The Deputy is right in saying that it is very complicated.
In respect of the mother and baby homes and the Westbank orphanage, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has almost completed work on the terms of reference. As they will have to be approved by this House, everybody will have an opportunity for debate. I know he is conscious of the Westbank orphanage but I cannot give details on the stage he has reached in that regard. I will ask him to advise Deputy McDonald on the progress made. He will also be in a position to indicate when he expects to bring the terms of reference, through the Government, for debate here.