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"This was an institution created and operated by the Irish State," - confidential letter about the Tuam Mother & Baby Home to Minister Katherine Zappone from the Sisters of Bon Secours Ireland released under FOI to @RightToKnowIE: thejournal.ie/tuam-mother-an… 
The Tuam Mother & Baby Home was under the "supervision, direction, and inspection" of the local authority and the Department of Health. Galway County Council paid for a doctor and a chaplain and the home was inspected by health inspectors:
The "death of the infants were registered at that time" and Galway County Council and the Department of Health must have been aware of this and that burial arrangements would have to be made. The order had sought records from the local authority but were "denied" access:
The order had bee happy to make a donation to help create a memorial garden at the site. If the minister wanted to meet with them, then they hoped they would also be seeking dialogue with Galway County Council and the Dept of Health about their involvement in running the home:
It was a response to this letter from Katherine Zappone who had explained that there would be "cost implications" over several years arising from Tuam. "I believe that it is reasonable to seek discussions with the Order about sharing a proportion of these costs with the State."
A second letter from Minister Zappone explaining this request for support was independent of the commission of investigation. She said all parties involved in Tuam had a "shared moral and ethical responsibility to ensure appropriate action is taken to compassionately respond ..."
Minister Zappone said she was committed to dealing with the tragedy at Tuam in a "sensitive and respectful way" and that she looked forward to meeting with the religious order about her plans:
The records were released following an appeal by @RightToKnowIE to the Information Commissioner.
Apologies for the typo in the fourth tweet. Someday Twitter will let us fix these things.
