The Children's Minister says it could be late next year before excavation work can begin at the former Tuam Mother and Baby Home.
The government has approved the legislation that will also allow the exhumation and DNA testing of babies buried there.
Minister Katherine Zappone has accepted that there's a sense of urgency from the families involved.
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She hopes a possible general election next year won't stop the proposals becoming law.
Local historian Catherine Corless was instrumental in the uncovering of the substantial remains at the mother and baby home in Galway following her extensive research on the subject.
Catherine spoke to the Joe Finnegan show this morning
