DNA should be taken from Tuam mother-and-baby home survivors and relatives in a bid to match them with tots in a mass grave within months, it emerged yesterday.
Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone insisted she has “strong hope” a scheme can be set up.
She presented a report to Cabinet by legal expert Dr Geoffrey Shannon which stated it should be possible to collect voluntary biological samples from relatives before the enactment of lengthy legislation to underpin the process.
It is believed the bill to green light the phased excavation and forensic analysis of the Tuam site should be ready by the end of next month.
Breeda Murphy, of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance, said: “We are particularly pleased to see Dr Shannon proposes the opportunity to take DNA samples in a timely fashion.
“Such biological samples from relatives would then be stored securely until legislation is in place.
“This is essentially what our members, namely Sana Tansey and Emer Quirke proposed and which Taoiseach Varadkar admitted was a reasonable request.
“It is comforting to note no DNA profiles can be constructed from the samples until legislation is in place and we are assured it is possible to generate DNA from the remains of the children.
“The DNA is being collected for that sole purpose. If the possibility is not there to match for any reason, then the DNA will be destroyed.”
Dr Shannon recommended an administrative scheme should be incorporated into the Tuam-related legislation.
In January more than 20 survivors called on the Government to immediately begin collecting their samples.
They want their DNA to be banked so they can be reunited as soon as possible with identifiable relatives who can be given dignified Christian burials.
After a test excavation in 2016, human remains – aged between 35 foetal weeks and two to three years old – were found.
A €23million inquiry was set up after the bodies of up to 798 babies were found in septic tanks behind the Galway home run by Bons Secours nuns.
Ms Murphy added: “The advice we have received suggests the possibilities of advancing technologies providing new opportunities all the time – only a couple of months ago another victim of 9/11 was identified.
“The minister on speaking to us [on Tuesday] mentioned she would request her Department officials to put in place a voluntary administrative programme.
“Our alliance with two experts who initially proposed this model hope to contribute in an advisory capacity.”
