Over 180,000 Sign Petition Against Sealing Of Mother And Baby Home Files

Almost 182,000 people have signed a petition against plans to seal an archive of files relating to Mother and Baby Homes.

A commission of investigation is looking into the treatment of people in these facilities between 1922 and 1998.

Access to its files will be limited for 30 years, but a database will be passed on to Tusla to help people trace their family history.

The Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman is asking the Oireachtas Committee on Children to re-examine the current approach on Mother and Baby Homes.

He wants it to focus on how access is provided to the archives of the Commission of Investigation for certain personal information that is validating for survivors.

He's also to carry out further detailed engagement on the matter with the Attorney General.