I am heartbroken to be standing here today having learned of the disgraceful decision to continue with the plans to build in Bessborough. For 923 children, being born in Bessborough was a death sentence, and the burial sites of 859 of those children have never been found. If this development goes ahead, their remains could be lost forever. I pay tribute to Councillor Noelle Brown and everyone who has been advocating to prevent this from happening. This decision is unfathomable and we need the Government to step up on this. Last week, Deputy Cairns asked the Taoiseach what would happen if it was granted and if it should be compulsorily purchased. He said a decision would be made afterwards. What is that decision? What will the Government do? A decision has been made to grant that permission. Will the Government issue a compulsory purchase order to buy it? I know the Minister said earlier that his heart is broken. We can say that but we have to have action, and we need to make sure that something happens. There needs to be full understanding of what will happen now and how the Government can step in to prevent this from happening.

Sentiment score: -0.07