Judge Yvonne Murphy is to chair the Commission of Investigation into matters related to mother and baby homes in Ireland, the Department of Children has announced.

Judge Murphy was the head of a commission of investigation into clerical sex abuse, which lead to the Murphy Report in 2009. She also recently completed a report aimed at advising a ‘just solution' for women who underwent the controversial procedure, symphysiotomy, during childbirth.

"The Government may give consideration to the appointment of further members to the Commission but I believe Judge Murphy's agreement to undertake the role of chair of the Commission is a very positive development in the process to establish an effective and independent investigation," commented Minister for Children, Dr James Reilly.

The news was welcomed by the Children's Rights Alliance.

"The appointment of Judge Murphy, as a highly-esteemed member of the judiciary, sends a very strong signal that this Commission means business. Her previous role as chair of the Report by the Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin leaves Judge Murphy perfectly placed to carry out the important task to uncover the truth about what happened to thousands of women and children in these homes," commented the alliance's chief executive, Tanya Ward.

The decision to establish this commission followed the recent controversy surrounding the deaths of almost 800 babies at a mother and baby home in Tuam, Co Galway. The deaths occurred at the home, which was run by the Bon Secours order of nuns, between 1925 and 1961, and subsequent reports suggested that the bodies of these children were left in a mass grave, including a septic tank.

Meanwhile, the Department of Children also published the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on Mother and Baby Homes, which was established in early June to ‘assist the Government in scoping the necessary examination of this important issue'.

According to Minister Reilly, this report ‘is an important input into the Government's deliberations on the scope of the Commission of Investigation.

"My department has also received submissions on the terms of reference for the Commission from over 120 groups and individuals. A number of meetings have been held with groups. Collectively these inputs and consultations will assist the Government in finalising proposals for the Commission's establishment," he noted.

He added that on the Dail's return after the summer recess, he intends to table a draft order to establish the Commission under the Commission of Investigation Act 2004.

"This is a complex task and it is very important it is completed to the highest standard. As highlighted in the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group, past experience indicates that the establishment of a Commission of Investigation must be handled very carefully and precisely in order to ensure the Commission is set up on the most sound footing possible," Minister Reilly said.

The Children's Rights Alliance added that it was looking forward to examining the full terms of reference of the Commission when they are decided upon.

"We will closely scrutinise critical human rights issues around the care and treatment of children within these homes, the legality of their burials and the legality of certain adoptions," Ms Ward said.