From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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"The decision of the former Commission members not to attend the Joint Oireachtas Committee is disappointing, and I would urge them to reconsider. While acknowledging their statement that they did not 'discount' the testimony before the Confidential Committee, attendance before the Joint Oireachtas Committee would have offered a further opportunity to clarify recently generated uncertainty, along with deeper questions regarding how the information contained in the Confidential Committee testimonies contributed to the general findings of the Commission’s Report.
"The Government is very conscious of the need to ensure that the lived experiences of the 550 who attended before the Confidential Committee are clearly heard and understood as part of our history.
"I have stated that I believe survivors, and this belief must be demonstrated.
"Therefore, I will work to bring proposals to Cabinet on how the experiences of those who gave evidence before the Confidential Committee can be recognised and officially reflected. I will engage with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on this point.
"The Government will continue to work to provide redress for survivors, deliver the Birth Information and Tracing legislation, a national records and memorialisation centre and all other commitments made following the publication of the Commission Report."