Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages
Seanad Éireann — 2020-10-16
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Fintan Warfield (SF), Cultural and Educational Panel

I wish to put on record our support for a full indexing of the material. It is obvious from the amendment that a body such as Tusla or the Department itself would not be suitable to carry out this task. We need bodies with a proven record in archival upkeep, along with the associated facilities to ensure that the records can be accessed in the future. Many institutions have already handled a wide variety of sensitive material.
Professionally-run archives have been suggested as suitable repositories. Have the Minister's officials ever approached the National Archives or the National Library of Ireland with a view to maintaining the records? Last month, in a reply to a parliamentary question, the Minister referred to the legislation as it was being prepared by stating, "I sought Government approval for the urgent drafting of legislation to provide a bespoke solution to this issue". I do not consider this haphazard or rushed arrangement to be bespoke, whereas the amendment offers time and scope to consider options other than what is proposed in the Bill as initiated.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2020-10-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:48:41+00:00
Sitting date: 2020-10-16