Former health minister Dr James Reilly, top, at the publication of the terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, above, this morning
The legislation requires that the Government determine clearly the matter of significant public concern to be investigated.
— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) January 9, 2015
Terms of reference to be specific in terms of the events, activities, circumstances, systems, practices or procedures to be investigated. — MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) January 9, 2015
Relevant period for the Commission of Investigation into Mother&Baby Homes & certain related matters is 1922-1998 – Reilly
— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) January 9, 2015
Primary focus is on the experiences of the women and children who lived in Mother&Baby homes in that time period – Reilly — MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) January 9, 2015
Entry&exit pathways for mothers and babies, living conditions and mortality rates are among the issues the Commission will examine – Reilly
— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) January 9, 2015
Terms of Reference are based on a combination of four distinct factors. — MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) January 9, 2015
1. Clarifying that the focus is on single women and children bring accommodated for the purpose of receiving extended and supervised… 1/2
— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) January 9, 2015
…maternity and infant care services in Mother and Baby Homes. 2/2. — MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) January 9, 2015
2. Defining the specific issues of public concern as discrete matters to be investigated.
— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) January 9, 2015
3. Specifying a list of Homes and providing for examination of equivalent experiences within the network of County Homes. — MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) January 9, 2015
4. Defining the relevant period as being from 1922 to 1998 while allowing the Commission to reduce the ‘relevant period’ in respect… (1/2)
— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) January 9, 2015
…of any component part or institution if it considers if appropriate to do so. (2/2). — MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) January 9, 2015
Social historian Professor Mary Daly and Dr William Duncan, an expert in international family law, appointed to the commission.
— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) January 9, 2015
Meanwhile…
Of first glance, TOR for #MotherandBaby homes inquiry appear reasonable re specific homes, but sadly no mention of #Magdalene Laundries — Colm O’Gorman (@Colmogorman) January 9, 2015
Gov must not continue to assert that McAleese interdepartmental review was in any way an effective investigation into #Magdalene Laundries
— Colm O’Gorman (@Colmogorman) January 9, 2015
There has been no independent proper investigation into abuses in #Magdalene Laundries. #MotherandBaby investigation appears to ignore this
— Colm O’Gorman (@Colmogorman) January 9, 2015
More to follow.
Previously: Reputable History