Statement read out by Lord Mayor following publication of investigation in Mother and Baby homes

Cork City Council stopped short of issuing an apology to survivors and victims of Mother and Baby Homes last evening.

Although some councils including Mayo, Galway, Meath and Dublin City Council have issued apologies a statement was read out by the Lord Mayor which councilors were told was not open for debate.

However the statement did acknowledge the publication of the report, the apology on behalf of the state and 'Cork City Council's association with same'.

When contacted by RedFM News last week to determine if an apology would be issued following those by other councils Cork City Council confirmed the issue of Mother and Baby Homes was on the agenda at last night's monthly meeting following the publication of the five year investigation into the facilities.

A minute's silence for all those impacted was held and the Lord Mayor confirmed the council was was fully committed to playing its part in delivering on the Government's action plan following the report with local actions such as memorializations as well as the establishment of a working group to deal with all such matters arising from the investigation.

The publication of the five year investigation into the homes in recent weeks found an "appalling" level of infant mortality among children born in the facilities, including Bessborough here in Cork where it's feared hundreds of babies could be buried on the 200-acre estate.
 

Statement read out last evening on behalf of party whips, Lord Mayor Cllr Joe Kavanagh

"I would like to acknowledge the publication of the mother and baby homes commission of investigation final report, the apology on behalf of the state by Taoiseach Micheal Martin TD and Cork City Council's association with same.

Government has committed to the development of an action plan and we commit fully to playing our part in delivering on local actions such as memorializations or whatever actions come out of the action plan for local authorities. I am proposing to put in place a working group compromised of party whips and party leaders to deal with all such matters arising from the investigation into mother and baby homes. This will meet, in committee, taking into consideration the many associated sensitivities. This will be the key vehicle for elected members to deal with all specific issues relating to mother and baby homes, this working group will feed back into party whips and onwards to full council.
A meeting invite will issue in the coming days"