Speeches by Sewards.

“In 2021, the Irish Government issued an apology to the survivors of mother and baby homes for the “profound generational wrong” that was inflicted upon them. What steps led to that apology?”

“Accounting for what you have said about the build-up to the apology and the apology itself, several measures have been put in place since that apology was given, and you referenced them in your answer. I want to reference here the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022, and also the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment…”

“That is incredibly helpful, thank you. Dr Greenlees, just following up on Dr Gallen’s answers, is there anything more you want to say about the impact of the apology in Scotland, anything about the process or the impact it had on the survivors after it was given?”

“We will return to that, but first, Peter, what records do you hold?”

“What kinds of things does it say about the mother in those records?”

“Why did the Irish Government make those mistakes in the build-up to the apology?”

“What kinds of things does it say about the mother in those records?”

“I have a question for Emily and Emma. How would you describe the condition and overall completeness of adoption records for those adopted before 1976?”

“In 2021, the Irish Government issued an apology to the survivors of mother and baby homes for the “profound generational wrong” that was inflicted upon them. What steps led to that apology?”

“Why did the Irish Government make those mistakes in the build-up to the apology?”

“Finally from me, what about the mental health of the survivors? Have the apology and the subsequent actions had any positive impact on that? What more could be done in this area?”

“Accounting for what you have said about the build-up to the apology and the apology itself, several measures have been put in place since that apology was given, and you referenced them in your answer. I want to reference here the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022, and also the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment…”

“Would you be able to do that after you have reviewed the records? That would be incredibly helpful.”

“That is incredibly helpful, thank you. Dr Greenlees, just following up on Dr Gallen’s answers, is there anything more you want to say about the impact of the apology in Scotland, anything about the process or the impact it had on the survivors after it was given?”

“Would you be able to do that after you have reviewed the records? That would be incredibly helpful.”

“As a follow-up, what gaps are in the records that make it harder for adoptees or birth families to understand or reconstruct their personal histories? Peter answered this in part already, so I will go to Brenda. What is missing?”

“Understood. Peter, is there anything you want to add about the gaps in the record and how they can help people reconstruct their personal history?”

“Going back to Brenda and Peter, can you tell us about the adoption records that your organisations hold? Can you also tell us what type of information is typically available in these records?”

“Understood. Peter, is there anything you want to add about the gaps in the record and how they can help people reconstruct their personal history?”

“As a follow-up, what gaps are in the records that make it harder for adoptees or birth families to understand or reconstruct their personal histories? Peter answered this in part already, so I will go to Brenda. What is missing?”