President: Meeting survivors' needs must be 'at the heart' of response to baby homes report

President Michael D  Higgins said the Commission of Investigation’s report reminds us of how "far short Ireland fell" from fulfilling the promise of our Republic. Picture: MAXWELLS

Meeting the needs and concerns of survivors must be "at the heart of the response" to the mother and baby homes report, the president has said.

Michael D Higgins has said the Commission of Investigation’s report, published this week, reminds us of how "far short Ireland fell" from fulfilling the promise of our Republic, and of how "the violation of fundamental rights of our fellow citizens was condoned over an extended period of time".