The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone T.D. has today (13th March 2018) announced details of the Selection Panel to oversee appointments to the Collaborative Forum for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes.
The establishment of this inclusive Collaborative Forum is a direct response to the theme of “nothing about us without us” which emerged from the Minister’s consultations with former residents of these institutions and their advocates. This innovative approach will support, facilitate and empower former residents to actively contribute to decisions on matters of concern to them and their families.
Announcing the panel, the Minister said
“the independent selection panel is essential to the successful commencement of this project. For this reason, suitably qualified persons and organisations from the areas of human rights promotion and protection, advocacy groups representing former residents, and academics with strong track records in relevant areas, were approached to assist in this process”.
The 6 members appointed to the panel are:
Ms Teresa Blake SC Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Ms Clodagh Malone Coalition of Mother and Baby Homes Survivors Ms Mari Steed Adoption Rights Alliance (based in USA) Mr Fintan Dunne Irish First Mothers Dr James Gallen Dublin City University Prof Patricia Lundy Ulster University
“I want to thank each member of the panel for agreeing to take on this ambitious and challenging task. Their individual and collective experience and knowledge will be invaluable when selecting the members to participate in an effective and representative Forum” added the Minister.
The Selection Panel will finalise details of the selection process, including the format of a public information campaign, and then select Forum members from those persons who express an interest in participating.
The panel will have access to the supports necessary to complete its work as soon as possible. To assist in this regard the Minister has asked Mr Jim Halley of 2Collaborate to lead and facilitate the process. Mr Halley is an internationally respected mediator and facilitator and he will continue in his role of facilitating the process of engagement with former residents. In addition, Mr Gerry Kearney, who has been appointed as Chair of the Forum, will also assist the panel in its work.
The Minister concluded by saying
“I have tasked the panel with conducting an independent selection process having regard to the necessity for a balance and diversity of stakeholder perspectives and experiences in the membership of the Forum. The membership of the Forum must reflect its remit to support and engage with those who were resident for a time in these institutions and those with comparable experiences in the former County Homes”.
Further information on this process will be published in the national media and on the website of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs www.dcya.gov.ie