Sinn Féin urges Taoiseach to ringfence funding to purchase Bessborough

Party leader Mary Lou McDonald: 'This cannot become a game of passing responsibility, passing liability, between central Government and Cork County Council'

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she believed Bessborough is an issue 'as much about now as then'.  Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to ringfence funding in Budget 2027 for the State to purchase the grounds of Cork’s former Bessborough mother and baby institution.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner after she visited the former institution this week, Ms McDonald said she believed Bessborough is an issue “as much about now as then”, given the trauma suffered by so many living survivors.

Noting that between 1922 and 1998, more than 18,000 people - 9,768 mothers and 8,938 babies – had passed through Bessborough, Ms McDonald said she believed the only appropriate course for the State would be to buy the land as a site of national conscience.

“I’ve written to the Taoiseach, and I’ve said to him that he needs to make clear that the State will acquire the site, and that furthermore provision will be made in October’s budget so that the money will be available to make that acquisition,” she said.

Asked how much money the Government should budget for the purchase of the Bessborough grounds, the Sinn Féin leader said it was not for her “to arbitrarily put a figure on it, but there are figures available in respect of the transfer and previous purchase price of that land”.

Earlier this month, Mr Martin intervened after An Coimisiún Pleanána upheld planning permission for the building of 106 apartments on the 60-acre site.

Planning had initially been granted in February by Cork City Council after councillors had in 2022 approved the rezoning of swathes of Bessborough for residential development.

That had occurred despite the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes finding a year earlier that burial records for 859 children and 19 women were missing from Bessborough and it was “highly likely” some of them had been buried on the grounds.

Exploring options

In a call two weeks ago to this newspaper, the Taoiseach said he had asked Cork City Council to engage with the owners of the Bessborough grounds, to “explore all options for the future of the site”.

Although Mr Martin did not say so, it is understood that the State would be willing to financially support Cork City Council in purchasing the Bessborough land, should negotiations with the landowners prove successful.

“Bessborough is an area of important historical significance, and it’s a place of huge importance and connection for many, many families and people,” the Taoiseach said.

“We need to do the right thing for all concerned.” 

Ms McDonald said that having met this week with survivors and campaigners at Bessborough, she believed talks between all parties needed to be expedited so the grounds could be purchased as a matter of urgency.

“This cannot become a game of passing responsibility, passing liability, between central Government and Cork City Council, and I fear that in the absence of the Taoiseach acting in good faith and using his authority, that is what may well happen,” she said.

“I want the Taoiseach now to act, and I want him to see through the logic of the position he has hinted at, and to give assurance to the victims and the survivors that they will not be left in limbo, and with the prospect of the developer just moving ahead.” 

Mr Martin was asked for comment.