Flanagan expected to tell Cabinet full mother-and-baby homes probe likely
The Children's Minister is expected to tell his colleagues at this morning's Cabinet meeting that a full inquiry into mother-and-baby homes is now likely.
According to The Irish Times, sources now say a full investigation is all but inevitable, and not just into one such home in Tuam, Co Galway, but in all homes across the State.
It is believed any inquiry would focus on high death rates at the homes, burial practices and forced adoptions.
A number of Ministers have voiced their support for a full investigation into the mother-and-baby homes in recent days in light of reports about the Bon Secours home in Tuam, Co Galway, where it is thought almost 800 infants and young children died.
An inter-departmental scoping examination to establish matters of fact has been underway since last week.
It is focused on mortality rates at all such homes across the State, as well as burial practices and forced adoptions among other issues.
Children’s Minister Charlie Flanagan is expected to tell his colleagues that a full inquiry is now likely to be held.
It comes ahead of Sinn Féin’s Private Members motion in the Dáil later, which will call for an inquiry with judicial powers to be set up with immediate effect.
The Taoiseach has said the Cabinet will today decide the "best way to proceed" in the wake of the mother-and-baby home issue.
Enda Kenny said the issue was "much broader" than the Bons Secours home in Tuam, Co Galway.
