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09/01/2015
Minister Stresses Importance Of Mother & Baby Homes Commission
Children & Youth Affairs Minister, James Reilly, has published the Terms of Reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and Certain Related Matters.
On Thursday, the Cabinet approved the publication of the draft order, which will formally establish the Commission, once it has been considered by the Oireachtas.
The public inquiry into the mother and baby homes was announced last year after a mass grave was revealed to be found at a Catholic Church-run facility in Tuam, Co Galway.
A three-year inquiry has now been outlined by Minister Reilly.
Commenting on the publication, he said: "Last May, people in Ireland and around the world were shocked at media reports about what was described as a mass grave in the mother and baby home in Tuam in Galway. The sense of indignation we all felt about this was palpable. The work of a crusading historian combined with the media reports confronted us with an uncomfortable truth that we had seen fit to largely ignore.
"While some academics had examined these matters, as a State we had failed to come to terms with a harrowing reality in our past; the manner in which single women and their children were treated in mother and baby homes, how they came to be there in the first place and the circumstances of their departure from the homes."
He added: "I believe that this Commission will be critically important in coming to terms with our own history. Some of what we learn will be painful but the Commission will finally allow the experience of individuals to be understood, not only as stories, but as part of a social, cultural system of how we, as a society, organised our response to single women and their children who needed support and assistance and not judgement."
(JP/CD)
On Thursday, the Cabinet approved the publication of the draft order, which will formally establish the Commission, once it has been considered by the Oireachtas.
The public inquiry into the mother and baby homes was announced last year after a mass grave was revealed to be found at a Catholic Church-run facility in Tuam, Co Galway.
A three-year inquiry has now been outlined by Minister Reilly.
Commenting on the publication, he said: "Last May, people in Ireland and around the world were shocked at media reports about what was described as a mass grave in the mother and baby home in Tuam in Galway. The sense of indignation we all felt about this was palpable. The work of a crusading historian combined with the media reports confronted us with an uncomfortable truth that we had seen fit to largely ignore.
"While some academics had examined these matters, as a State we had failed to come to terms with a harrowing reality in our past; the manner in which single women and their children were treated in mother and baby homes, how they came to be there in the first place and the circumstances of their departure from the homes."
He added: "I believe that this Commission will be critically important in coming to terms with our own history. Some of what we learn will be painful but the Commission will finally allow the experience of individuals to be understood, not only as stories, but as part of a social, cultural system of how we, as a society, organised our response to single women and their children who needed support and assistance and not judgement."
(JP/CD)
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16 July 2014
Chairperson Of Mother-And-Baby Homes Investigation To Be Announced
The government is today expected to announce who will led the Commission of Investigation into Church-run mother-and-baby homes. While the announcement of the Commission's chairperson is expected to be made today, it is understood that the investigations terms of reference, nor its full membership, is currently ready to be published.
Chairperson Of Mother-And-Baby Homes Investigation To Be Announced
The government is today expected to announce who will led the Commission of Investigation into Church-run mother-and-baby homes. While the announcement of the Commission's chairperson is expected to be made today, it is understood that the investigations terms of reference, nor its full membership, is currently ready to be published.
09 June 2014
Calls Increase For Full Inquiry In Mother And Baby Homes
Calls have been made for a full inquiry into all mother and baby homes, following the scandal of a mass unmarked grave containing up to 800 bodies of children and babies in Tuam.
Calls Increase For Full Inquiry In Mother And Baby Homes
Calls have been made for a full inquiry into all mother and baby homes, following the scandal of a mass unmarked grave containing up to 800 bodies of children and babies in Tuam.
14 February 2019
Legality Of Collecting DNA From Mother And Baby Homes Survivors To Be Examined
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, has confirmed that the Terms of Reference and timeline have been set for an examination of legal options regarding DNA sampling in connection with the former Mother and Baby Home at Tuam.
Legality Of Collecting DNA From Mother And Baby Homes Survivors To Be Examined
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, has confirmed that the Terms of Reference and timeline have been set for an examination of legal options regarding DNA sampling in connection with the former Mother and Baby Home at Tuam.
17 July 2014
Govt Criticised For Mother And Baby Homes Investigation Failure
The government has been criticised for failing to publish the terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes before the summer recess.
Govt Criticised For Mother And Baby Homes Investigation Failure
The government has been criticised for failing to publish the terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes before the summer recess.
26 June 2014
Flanagan Publishes Update On Mother And Baby Homes Investigation
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, has issued an update of the proceedings of the government's Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. "Last week I announced details of a dedicated email address – motherandbabyhomes@dcya.gov.
Flanagan Publishes Update On Mother And Baby Homes Investigation
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, has issued an update of the proceedings of the government's Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. "Last week I announced details of a dedicated email address – motherandbabyhomes@dcya.gov.
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