Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman in the Dáil this morning
This afternoon.
The Government has been accused of speaking out of both sides of its mouth on the issue of extending the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes.
Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns said:
“Earlier today, the Government committed to not blocking the Social Democrats’ motion to extend the Commission of Investigation. However, when challenged by my colleague Gary Gannon TD to give effect to this by allocating time in the Dáil, they voted that proposal down.
“This shows that the Government is attempting to look both ways on the issue. To avert a rebellion of Government TDs and to give the appearance of wanting to do the right thing, they avoided having to vote down the Social Democrats’ motion to extend the Commission.
“It is a disgraceful attempt to effectively hoodwink the Dáil. The Social Democrats have legislation ready to go and the Government simply must allow time for the motion to be brought into effect.“
Earlier…
Last night.
Social Democrat TD Jennifer Whitmore (at Leinster House yesterday, top) joined adoptee and activist Eunan Duffy and Tuam campaigner Breeda Murphy to discuss her party’s bill to extend the Mother and Baby Home Commission of Investigation by 12 months.
The commission is due to be dissolved this Sunday amid rancour over the treatment of witnesses’ testimonies.
The bill is being debated in the Dáil today (watch live here) and will be voted on Tomorrow. The government has said there will be no free vote.
Meanwhile…
This morning.
A letter from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL ) and Amnesty International Ireland calling on TDs to extend the term of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes.
”Time is not on our side”.
They know that, it is one of the major drivers of their behaviour.
Few more years there will be nobody left alive in relation to this, government will view this as a satisfactory resolution.
Also, its all OUR fault. ”Society” is to blame. According to Mehole Martian.
Wait; does Broadsheet like Amnesty International now?
I thought they were Soros lackeys! So confusing. I’ll have to update the spreadsheet.
Listening to a rabitte speak for survivors who want to get their access to medical cards but we’re concerned that if the commission was extended they would be delayed further in reciving these entitlements and I wondered why they couldn’t all fivehundred and sixty just be signed up to the scheme by government there and then. Like last week. Then this week would be clear to respond to the concerns of the majority of survivors who believe that their testimony has been mishandled and their trust abused. The fact that any sensible person attempts to combine these issues in an either or situation is a mean spirited bit of politics and a shitty little rock to hide behind for the next few days. But it also manages to divide these vulnerable women in a way that makes the issue appear complex when it is no more complex than healy raes presentation. Respect for human matters.
FFG are in lockstep with the ex religious orders, as the preservation of their vast wealth is of paramount importance. Forget about Amnesty, This belated attempt to hop on a bandwagon is just a cheap publicity stunt.