Tánaiste 'surprised' mother and baby home submissions were deleted

The Government may consider extending commission of inquiry to allow for an investigation into the destruction of witness testimony, Leo Varadkar said

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar: 'One of the flaws in the process is an independent body like a commission can spend five years hearing evidence, examining evidence, and then makes its report, but then is not there to explain it.' Picture: Julien Behal

The Government is to consider extending the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation beyond this month to allow for an investigation into the destruction of witness testimony, the Tánaiste has said.

It comes as prominent academics, historians, social researchers and legal experts rejected the the research methods and conclusions of the Commission of Investigation into mother and baby homes.