Backup tapes may contain erased mother and baby home witness testimony

Children's minister Roderic O'Gorman emphasised to the Seanad that backup files of deleted witness testimony which the commission had found "may" be accessible. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Survivors of mother and baby homes have been given fresh hope after the commission of investigation said it has found backup files that may contain their witness recordings.

It comes after weeks of campaigning by survivors and opposition parties who have criticised the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation for destroying 550 interviews without taking verbatim transcripts of them.