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Minister Zappone publishes Commission’s Fifth Interim Report

The  Minister  for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone TD, has today  (17  April  2019)  published  the  Fifth  Interim  Report  from  the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes.

The   Fifth   Interim  Report  examines  the  burial  arrangements  in  the institutions  under  investigation  by  the  Commission.  The  report  also examines  the  transfer  of  remains  to  educational  institutions for the purpose  of  anatomical examination. Minister Zappone brought the report to Government   yesterday   (16   April   2019),  securing  approval  for  its publication. The  report’s contents have been noted by Government and will be sent to the relevant agencies for further consideration.

Responding  to the report the Minister said

This is a significant piece of work  from  the  Commission that addresses important issues relating to the burial  arrangements  at  these institutions. The Commission is collating a huge  amount of material and examining the matters before it in a way never before possible. This report reflects the sheer depth and complexity of the work  the Commission is undertaking. I know that that many former residents and  their  family  members  have  been  patiently awaiting this report and believe that it will assist in bringing clarity to this matter.

The Commission has stated that it will include an analysis of the causes of deaths  and  the registration of deaths in its final report which is due by February 2020.