The government is giving 'active consideration' to an investigation into the discovery of the remains of nearly 800 children in Tuam.
The remains of up to 800 children remain in a septic tank near a former home for unmarried mothers between 1925 and 1961. It is thought some of the remains have been present for up to 90 years.
The Tuam Mother and Baby Home was run by the Bons Secours nuns.
The Adoption Rights Alliance group has said 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.
The Children's Minister has conceded that an investigation is being considered.
In a statement, Minister Charlie Flanagan said "Many of the revelations are deeply disturbing and a shocking reminder of a darker past in Ireland when our children were not cherished as they should have been".
"I am particularly mindful of the relatives of those involved and of local communities. There are a number of government departments involved in this process".
"The cross-departmental initiative underway will examine these matters and report to government on how they might be addressed".
"Relevant government departments have been tasked with working together in preparation for the government’s early consideration and determination of the best course of action" he added.
But Mary-Lou McDonald of Sinn Féin says a wide-ranging inquiry is needed into how women and children were treated at all 'Mother and Baby' homes, including Magdalene Laundries.
The Taoiseach is meanwhile being called on to apologise on behalf of the State to the women and children who resided at mother and baby homes.
Fianna Fail TD Colm Keaveney says the details emerging about one such home in Tuam in Galway where the bodies of babies were buried in a tank amounts to a 'scandal'.
Deputy Keaveney told Newstalk Lunchtime that the government is refusing to debate what happened there and why - and he believes Enda Kenny should apologise.
Yesterday, a junior minister called for a garda inquiry into the deaths of the babies and infants.
Minister Ciaran Cannon said the sketchy information emerging seems to indicate that children were neglected at the institution.
He is calling for a State inquiry into the deaths involving the Departments of Justice, Children and Education - but he believes gardai should also be involved.
