Consideration of amendments to the Bill relating to the Commission of Investigation into mother and baby homes has ended in the Seanad following a seven hour debate.
It passed by 23 votes to 13 and now goes to the Dáil for further debate.
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Roderic O'Gorman, said he would bring a number of amendments to the Dáil next week.
Among them is an amendment to ensure that those who gave confidential interviews to a Confidential Committee as part of the investigation process will remain sealed.
Consideration is also being given to keeping a second copy of a database of information which is being moved to Tusla under the legislation discussed today.
Amendments to the legislation which will now move to the Dáil have been extended to 6pm on Monday for TDs.
Minister O’Gorman was thanked by senators for his engagement.
Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell said "in fairness" the Minister listened and accepted amendments.
However, he said "two fingers" had been given to democracy by ramming the entire bill through the Seanad in one day.
Independent Senator Alice Mary Higgins urged the Minister to continue to engage with senators when he goes to the Dáil with the amended legislation.
Labour Senator Ivana Bacik expressed disappointment over access to information for survivors and families.
After more than 7 hours of constructive Committee stage #Seanad debate, despite strong critique, Mother & Baby Homes Commission of Investigation Records Bill has passed by 23 votes to 14 & goes to Dáil next week for more debate @labour pic.twitter.com/cLiy65IKF5
— Ivana Bacik (@ivanabacik) October 16, 2020
The Sinn Féin Senator Fintan Warfield said his party still maintained that the bill should be withdrawn and that Tusla's role in taking a database of information should be removed from the Bill.
He said this would be pursued by his party colleagues in the Dáil next week
Earlier today, former minister for children Charlie Flanagan said he was not happy with how the bill is being rushed through the Oireachtas.
The Laois-Offaly TD announced the Commission of Investigation in 2014 in his role as Children's Minister.
He said he has spoken to Mr O'Gorman and the whip about the "undue haste" of the bill.
In September, the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes suggested that bespoke legislation would be required to safeguard and transfer a database of the mothers and children who were resident in the main mother and baby homes.
The legislation before the Seanad provides for the database to be sent to the Tusla - this has raised concerns among former residents of the homes and their families over their ability to access the information held by the Child and Family Agency.
