Last night there was yet another harrowing programme about the mother and baby homes. This programme covered the situation in Bessborough. I want to ask the Taoiseach about the publication of the second interim report from the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, had indicated that the report would be published at the end of March. She has now resiled from that commitment and is stalling the publication of the report. She says that both herself and the Government need more time to consider the recommendations. That is an entirely unacceptable position to adopt. The Taoiseach is aware of the trauma that was caused by the discoveries at Tuam. Naturally, it has triggered deep, personal concerns for the survivors of these awful regimes across the State, and the least the Government owes to society at large is the prompt publication of this interim report so that we can collectively take stock and move forward in the most constructive way possible.

I do not agree that it is an unacceptable position to adopt. It is right and proper for Government to assess carefully every interim report that comes before it, this one included. The question arising from the mother and baby homes, as one of a whole series in this general area, is one that needs to be considered very carefully. I expect the Minister, Deputy Zappone, will bring a memo on this matter before the Government next week, and the report, once Government adopts it, will be published then.