Inquiry into infant deaths
Senator O’Keeffe commemorates babies who died and asks that the Seanad’s time for statements on the inquiry be extended.
I take the opportunity to salute those who came to Leinster House last night and those who came to Galway and Cavan, to honour those babies who died and the mothers who have suffered. I salute the fact they took the time, even though they know the inquiry has already been announced, and I welcome that. They wanted to take the moment to remember the ones who have been lost, and we all have a stake in that.
I thank the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Charles Flanagan, for his time here yesterday evening and ask the Leader if he might extend the time for statements from this House because there were a number of Senators who indicated that they would like to contribute. If the Minister would have additional time for that, we would be grateful as it is a matter of enormous importance and there is much to discuss.