Calls for ‘truth Commission’

Galway Independent
March 22, 2017

http://www.galwayindependent.com/news/topics/articles/2017/03/22/4137035-calls-for-truth-commission/

Calls have been made to set up a ‘Truth Commission’ following the revelations that human remains have been found on the site of the former Tuam Home.

Sinn Fein TD for Cork South Central, Donnchadh O Laoghaire has published a motion which will be debated in the Dail this week calling for a Truth Commission to establish the facts about Mother and Baby Homes.

A Truth Commission, if set up, would be tasked with discovering and revealing past wrongdoings and its results would go some way to resolving issues of the past. Truth Commissions have previously been set up in El Salvador, Congo, Kenya, and other countries. As part of it, the Truth Commission can hold public hearing where survivors can share their stories.

The revelations of recent weeks at Tuam, and subsequent reports regarding the records and treatment of children, and their mothers, have shocked and angered Irish people, said Deputy O Laoghaire.

“The suffering and mistreatment of children and mothers in these institutions is a matter of national shame and, in many respects, there are many questions unanswered, and those responsible have yet to be brought to account.

“The attempts to establish truth and address who was responsible for this dreadful part of our history has been piecemeal, flawed and utterly inadequate.”

He stated that the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, under Judge Yvonne Murphy, was set up in the midst of widespread criticism that its terms of reference were utterly inadequate.

“Those who suffered under the system, but were not on the list of prescribed Mother and Baby Homes, were excluded. Survivors groups have also criticised the behind closed doors hearings and what they feel is a lack of transparency.

“We need to rectify that. A Commission of Investigation, or Interdepartmental Committee will simply not do.

“It needs to explore the full story, and establish the truth of what happened, right across the system.”

He added there has been a failure to recognise that, though the experiences in Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries, Industrial Schools, and other institutions are varied and different, that these are issues are linked.

Deputy O Laoghaire stated that there are numerous examples of successful Truth Commissions internationally. “We should take the best examples of these and apply the principles here in Ireland,” he said, adding that “it should ensure that survivors groups are part of the process right from the beginning, that there is an advisory committee to the commission, and that hearings are in the manner which those victims and survivors are most comfortable with. There is also a need for international expertise.”