The Taoiseach is being asked to initiate an inquiry into the deaths of newborns and young infants at mother and baby homes.

It comes after claims that the remains of almost 800 babies were buried in a mass grave next to a home for unmarried mothers in Tuam, Co. Galway between 1925 and 1961.

The Tuam Mother and Baby Home was run by the Bons Secours nuns.

The Adoption Rights Alliance group says it has anecdotal evidence that babies with disabilities or other health issues - which made them unlikely to be adopted overseas - were not cared for properly and were allowed to die.

Susan Lohan is the co-founder of Adoption Rights Alliance. She says that amateur research into similar homes in Ireland and Britain is highlighting concerns that need to be investigated fully.

She says such an investigation into the homes is needed now.