Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Children, Kathleen Funchion TD has spoken of her disappointment and anger as the controversial Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and Certain related Matters) Records Bill passed committee and report stages in the Dáil last night.

Speaking this morning Teachta Funchion said:

“I am furious that this Government has completely ignored the well-articulated wishes of survivors of state-sanctioned abuse, that their records do not go to Tusla and that they would not be sealed for 30 years.

“This Government has demonstrated yet again that it does not care about survivors’ concerns.

“The outpouring of emotion and anger on this issue could not be ignored by any TD or Senator. We were contacted by thousands of survivors retelling their heart-wrenching stories, some of which I was honoured to read into the Dáil record.

“They were stories from woman and children who have been so cruelly cast aside, dismissed, ignored and simply not believed.

“The Minister had the opportunity with this legislation to stand on the right side of history. To say he believes their stories, he understands their pain and he will do everything in his power to take their concerns into account and to let survivors decide how to handle their own records.

“But he chose not to. 

“I want to assure all survivors of mother and baby institutions that Sinn Féin are committed to survivors’ and families’ right to access their own records, and to the preservation of all records. And I, and my colleagues in opposition, will continue to hold the Minister and Government to account.”