Govt Urged To Establish Counselling In Mother And Baby Homes Investigation

The Irish Government has been urged to set up counselling services and a dedicated helpline for people as a full investigation into the mother and baby homes is established.

Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on children, Robert Troy, welcomed the governments decision to launch a Commission of Investigation, saying: "Fianna Fáil fully supports the decision to establish an independent inquiry into the treatment of women and children at mother and baby homes. We believe this investigation should include the issues of forced adoption, vaccine testing and medical trials.

"Women placed in Mother and Baby Homes were stigmatised and they were treated with scorn by their families, the church and the state. This was wrong, deplorable and they are owed an apology.

"There are families across the state that had grandmothers, aunts, or mothers who were in these homes. Memories of what they went through are making them feel very vulnerable and angry when they have nothing whatsoever to feel ashamed about.

"As a society we need to shine a light on this difficult, sensitive and complex issue. All the pieces of this shocking jigsaw should be pulled together so that this era can be assessed in an objective open and fully independent way.

"I am also calling on the Government to establish appropriate counselling services for the people involved and I believe a special helpline should be set-up that can be accessed by people here and by people who no longer live in the State but were in these homes many years ago."

(MH/JP)