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A number of campaigners, academics and opposition politicians have called for the government to prevent records compiled by the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes being sealed for 30 years.
The Commission was established in 2015 to inquire into the treatment of women and children in 14 mother and baby homes and four county homes between 1922 and 1998. It is due to submit its final report to Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman by 30 October.
Under the 2004 Commissions of Investigation Act once it submits its final report, the commission will be dissolved and, prior to its dissolution, it must deposit all records with the minister to be sealed for a period of 30 years.
Last week the govt approved the text of a Bill which it said will safeguard the records after the dissolution of the Commission. The Bill was debated in the Seanad today and a number of senators called for more time to examine the legislation, saying it is being rushed through.
O’Gorman said he understands fears around the issue “given Ireland’s history”. He said the legislation is “needed to preserve access to invaluable information ... and not to put it beyond reach as has been reported”.
However, campaigners and politicians have raised concerns.
However, campaigners and politicians have raised concerns.
Labour Senator Ivana Bacik asked O’Gorman to ensure that data access requests to the archive of records will be facilitated.
“There’s a clear need for information. So many survivors, so many family members, have expressed to us their urgent desire for information,” she said.
“There’s a clear need for information. So many survivors, so many family members, have expressed to us their urgent desire for information,” she said.
Bacik also said an archive of historical abuse records needs to be set up, adding that Ireland owes this to the people affected by “our legacy of shame” over the treatment of women and children.
O’Gorman said he wanted to reassure people who have “very legitimate anxieties” about access to birth information and tracing that future legislation will allow greater access to records, saying he is "absolutely committed to addressing the long-running matter".
However opposition politicians and campaigners are reluctant to rely on promises of future legislation, citing numerous issues with adoption and tracing legislation to date.
This is an issue I'll be exploring in the coming weeks.
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