PRESS RELEASE
Children’s Rights Alliance responds to Taoiseach’s speech on the Mother and Baby Homes Commission’s Report
The Children’s Rights Alliance responds to Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s speech today (13.01.21) in the Dáil following the publication of the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Mother and Baby Homes.
Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, Tanya Ward said, “We welcome the Taoiseach’s apology today acknowledging that the State failed in its responsibility to care and protect the rights of thousands of children and of young girls and women who went through these institutions.
It is impossible to read the findings of this Report, which include unsettling detail of the more than 9,000 children’s lives that were lost in these Homes and the cruel conditions thousands of girls and young women experienced, without the overwhelming feeling that the State undeniably abdicated its duty of care. It is shocking to think that despite the high levels of documentary evidence they had, political leaders during those fifty years, appear never to have even once discussed what was happening in these homes to these children and women.
For this apology to truly uphold the acknowledgement, the recognition and redress survivors deserve, it must be followed by action. The Report sends a clear message that children and women deserve better. The action plan that the Government commits to must be implemented and carried through with conviction and without delay. For survivors, the significance of the Report, its findings and today’s speech cannot be downplayed, and they must be supported in every step and their voices heard as we move forward. Today in our Dáil, we heard the leader of our country acknowledge that the State utterly failed to uphold the rights of these children and women. Tomorrow, we must see our leaders take action to send a message to children and women today, that this never happens again to any child living in Ireland.”
Ends
Contact: Emma Archbold Children’s Rights Alliance, Tel: 01-662 9400 / 0879971410, Email: emma.archbold@childrensrights.ie
Notes to Editor:
• Tanya Ward, Chief Executive, Children's Rights Alliance is available for interview.
Read the Children's Rights Alliance response to the publication of the Report here.
The Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Mother and Baby Homes is available here.
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Children's Rights Alliance Helpline: 01 902 0494
Email: help@childrensrights.ie
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About the Children’s Rights Alliance
• Founded in 1995, the Children’s Rights Alliance unites over 100 members working together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. Further information is available at: www.childrensrights.ie or on Twitter, @ChildRightsIRL.