On behalf of the Civil Engagement Group, I would like to pass on my condolences on the passing of former Senator, Mary White. I also agree with Senator Stephenson that we should have a debate on eating disorders. That is a really good idea.

We are scheduled to debate the Institutional Burials (Amendment) Bill 2022, in the name of my colleague, Senator Ruane, this evening. I understand that the Government is introducing a motion declining to give the Bill a Second Reading, which is really disappointing. I regret that I will not be able to attend the debate this evening due to prior commitments, but I want to highlight the importance of this debate. I commend Senator Ruane and my Civil Engagement Group colleagues on their ongoing work on the Bill.

In recent weeks we have heard reports that additional infant human remains have been recovered from the site at Tuam. The Institutional Burials Act 2022 provides a legislative basis for interventions at institutional burial sites. It sets a very high legal threshold that, in practice, makes it difficult to authorise State-led interventions at institutional burial sites other than Tuam. The Act was drafted with Tuam in mind and several of the criteria for intervention are specifically referential to the context of Tuam, to the extent that other known or suspected institutional burial sites cannot meet them. The special advocate for survivors, Ms Patricia Carey, recently called for urgent consideration to be given to identifying, preserving and marking in a dignified and agreed manner all remaining burial sites of children and adults who died in institutions to show that we are a modern, moral and kind nation that values and honours its dead. Ms Carey highlighted sites at Sean Ross Abbey, Bessborough and Castlepollard, where the burial grounds of the mothers, babies and children who died there are not known. She outlined how, from 1921 to 1998, over 15% of children born in institutions died, numbering over 9,000 children. These are horrifying numbers and our response to the deep trauma caused by the experience of survivors in these institutions must be highly sensitive to their needs and the needs of their families.

The Institutional Burials (Amendment) Bill 2022 seeks to expand and strengthen the powers granted to the State under the Act of 2022. The Bill's central aim is to ensure that the State can intervene appropriately in cases of suspected inappropriate or undocumented burials linked to institutions such as mother and baby homes, industrial schools or other institutional settings. The Government's decision to deny a Second Stage debate on this Bill is really disappointing and regrettable. The 2022 Act needs to be amended in order to be fit for purpose for other inappropriate institutional burial sites. It would be preferable for the Government to meaningfully engage and work with Senator Ruane to achieve outcomes we can all agree on, including equality, fairness and a dignified approach across all sites and for all survivors.