After the terms of reference for the investigation into the Grace case were strongly criticised in the Dáil this morning, the initial terms were withdrawn.

Taoiseach now confirms to Michéal Martin TD that Minister Finian McGrath will come back with amended terms of reference tomorrow.

Micheal Martin wants “some flexibility” to investigate various issues that overlap with each other.

The Taoiseach says the minister’s decision to withdraw the original motion shows that “he wants to get it right”.

Mary Lou McDonald is raising the Tuam babies case in the context of International Women’s Day.

“It is a cause of national shame,” McDonald says.

Although she agrees with the Taoiseach words in the Dáil yesterday that these babies were “not stolen by nuns”, she makes the point that what happened was “state funded”.

McDonald calls for expanded terms of reference into the inquiry investigating into mother and baby homes.

Mentioning International Women’s day, the Taoiseach notes that:

If Ireland was declared by Yeats to be ‘no country for old men’. The more recent evidence would suggest that it was positively dangerous when it came to women and girls.

McDonald says she wants the Taoiseach to meet with relatives and survivors of the Tuam home. Asks him when the interim report of the commission will be published.

This commission was given a very specific remit,” the Taoiseach says, adding that if its remit is to be expanded time must be given to ensure it is done correctly.

“If we’re going to try and get this right, we better have a look at what we’re doing here.”

Independent Galway TD Catherine Connolly is also raising the Tuam babies case and the Grace case in the context of International Women’s Day.

“This is something that Galway has been aware of for a long-time,” she says.

Connolly says she wasn’t shocked by what has emerged, but she is shocked by the Taoiseach’s “carefully crafter speech” yesterday.

Here’s what he said:

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Taoiseach said she wants Connolly to await the findings of the commission’s work.

“I commend Catherine Corless, she has been a heroine in this case. She brought forward a truth that was hidden, literally in the earth,” Kenny says.

Connolly says the Taoiseach sounds “out of his depth”.

Again asks him to publish the interim report that the minister has seen.

“Please don’t insult the women of Ireland on International Women’s Day,” she says.

In response, the Taoiseach says that line is “beneath you Deputy Connolly”.

The Taoiseach adds that he hasn’t seen the interim report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes.

Danny Healy-Rae TD begins his contribution by welcoming Vera Twomey to the Dáil gallery.

He then begins to list what he says are deficiencies of “jobs and infrastructure” in Kerry.

“We haven’t enough money to fill the potholes,” he says.

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After a long speech which listed areas of Kerry Healy-Rae says are in need of road repairs, the deputy said:

In spite of all of that, everybody is still welcome in Kerry.

Danny Healy-Rae is taking issue with hedge cutting on local roads.

“The hedges along the roads have to cut at all times,” he says.

The Taoiseach says such matters are for the local council.

“They haven’t got the funding Taoiseach,” Healy-Rae responds.

Micheál Martin, Mary Lou McDonald and Enda Kenny all sent messages of sympathy and good will following the tragedy in Clondalkin.

“I share with Deputy Martin, as the house does I’m sure, on learning the tragic circumstances of the fire in Clondalkin last night and obviously our thoughts are with the relatives of the woman and her two young children. Their relatives and their friends,” the Taoiseach said.