This morning.
The Seanad.
Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration Roderic O’Gorman is speaking on his bill that will allow the Mother and Baby Homes Commission’s archive to be sealed for 30 years (except for a database on mothers and children detained in 11 institutions which it wants to give to TUSLA).
Minister O’Gorman said:
“As colleagues will know, access to information is a recurring and priority concern for those directly involved in the Mother and Baby Home institutions
“This legislation…urgent measure in terms of preserving valuable databases and records…speak to that very concern.
“I understand that there are genuine expectations that this database should enable additional information available to residents.
“In that regard it is essential to understand that Tusla is still bound by the continuing significant constitutional constraints in terms of access to information.
“This can only be addressed by future legislation which is something to which I am absolutely committed.
“I appreciate that some stakeholders have argued that the database and related records should be transferred to a body other than Tusla.
“The rationale for specifying Tusla as the recipient of the database is that it already has statutory responsibility for adoption tracing services under the Adoption Act of 2010 and already dedicates substantial resources and expertise to carrying out tracing functions.
“Crucially it currently holds the originals of many of the institutional records. Legally this enables the maximum value to be obtained from the database in the immediate term while comprehensive information and tracing legislation is being put in place.”
“A transfer to any statutory body, other than Tusla, such as the Adoption Authority of Ireland, would mean that two different statutory bodies withholds the same records with Tusla holding the originals and the AAI holding the database and associated copies. Such a duplication would inefficient and would lead to confusion.”
“Tusla will be fulfilling an important…safeguarding this database in the immediate term. The appropriate body to retain such records in the long term will be subject of further consultation and consideration in the course of bringing forward new legislative proposals for enhancing information and tracing services. I will of course seek further engagement with stakeholders as I advance these deliberations.
“Due to the urgent need to pass this legislation before the commission is dissolved, I appreciate there has been limited time to review the proposals.
“The requirement for pre-legislative scrutiny was waived by the House Business Committee at my request. However, I hope with the recent briefings I provided, as well as the information outlined today, I hope these have been helpful to you all.”
Watch here
More as we get it.
Last night: Sealing Their Fate
can they not extend the time the comission is in place for rather than ramming it through without proper consideration before the commission end date?
Exactly this, what are they trying to cover up? I had hoped Roderic not being FFG there might have been some hope but no left just brush it all under a big rug of shame that we try to ignore
With all due respect to Phil Coulter, all I could think of was this:
Seal away, let’s seal away
No reason left to say
In a year or two
They’ll be only few
So Minister, seal away
This truly upsets me when I think of those who believed the Commission would bring them justice.
anything that has to be rushed through like this should raise alarm bells, anything that gives Tusla this power should certainly not be rushed through
the greens in government seem to be blinding us with light of another false dawn.
I can’t understand why at least enough time can’t be given to get this right
In 30 years a lot changes, lots of us won’t be here for the next pretence at righting wrongs.
A speech full of….nothing. Summarized by ‘This can only be addressed by future legislation which is something to which I am absolutely committed.’
Roderic wont be around long enough in government.
Fine Gael on bikes is correct.
…..and another matter Bill?
This whole omnishambles just makes me angry and sad :-(
+ 1
He basically spoke and said absolutely nothing. The state is yet again providing protection for those who committed crimes.
The Greens prove time and again that they are good for nothing, unless you happen to be a car dealer.