Government asked to consider compulsory purchase order for Bessborough site following planning decision

The Government has been urged to intervene and consider issuing a compulsory purchase order (CPO) for the Bessborough site following a decision to grant planning permission for development on the land.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Jen Cummins raised concerns over the decision, highlighting that Bessborough was the birthplace of 923 children who died there, with the burial sites of 859 of those children remaining undiscovered. Deputy Cummins warned that if the planned development goes ahead, the remains of these children could be lost forever.

In response, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Deputy Peter Burke, acknowledged that a legal planning process had been under way with the competent authority, An Coimisiún Pleanála, which has now made its determination.

Minister Burke stated that space is now required to liaise with victims and support survivors. While noting that he could not make a decision on the floor of the Dáil, Minister Burke committed to raising the proposal and the concerns regarding the Bessborough planning decision with the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, and the relevant Minister.