Political Editor

The terms of reference for a commission of investigation into mother and baby homes should be agreed before the Dáil summer recess in a month, said Minister for Children Charlie Flanagan.

Mr Flanagan is leading the development of detailed terms of reference for the commission with the support of a high-level, cross-departmental review committee.

An email address has already been set up to facilitate submissions regarding the terms of reference of the commission at: motherandbabyhomes@dcya.gov.ie.

“I welcome the responses that we have received through the dedicated email address,” said Mr Flanagan. “In order to adhere to the tight timeframe, I am asking that submissions regarding terms of reference be submitted no later than 12pm on Monday, June 30th.”

The Minister will meet a number of key groups this week, as well as Opposition parties and church leaders. “I am pleased to have an opportunity to meet with a number of advocacy groups as well as the Opposition spokespersons. Submissions made to me during these consultative meetings. . . will be fed into the process.”

The interdepartmental review committee will report to Government before the end of this month. Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Mr Flanagan have already indicated the scope of the investigation will go beyond the Sisters of Bon Secours home in Tuam and will deal with other mother and baby homes.

The Minister directed interested parties to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs website at dcya.gov.ie