The Mother and Baby Homes Bill, which the Dáil passed by 78 votes to 67 last night, has sparked fierce debate and backlash across the country.

The controversial legislation allows the transfer of a database of 60,000 records created by the investigation into mother and baby homes to Tusla. Under the current law, all the information in the database will be sealed for 30 years.

Although opposition TDs had drafted amendments to the bill, based on the requests of survivors of the institutions, the Government stated these amendments would not be considered.

Hozier is among those sharing the #UnsealTheArchive hashtag online.

"How could anyone of good conscience vote for railroading these records into secrecy?" he wrote online. "Despite opposition from survivors and those most affected, our government today voted for sealing away records of an atrocity that took place in living memory.

"An atrocity visited upon women and children (for financial gain) tantamount to human trafficking and it's something we need to have the courage to face up to as a society. My heart breaks for those affected by this vote and I want to commend and thank everyone who opposed it."

An atrocity visited upon women and children (for financial gain) tantamount to human trafficking and it's something we need to have the courage to face up to as a society. My heart breaks for those affected by this vote and I want to commend and thank everyone who opposed it.

— Hozier (@Hozier) October 22, 2020

Activist Ailbhe Smyth noted that she was "disgusted by a government which can pass such a cruel law".

Disgusted by a government which can pass such a cruel law - a violation of humane values and rights. Shame on you. #StandForTruth https://t.co/rsbGzsi4qC

— Ailbhe Smyth (@ailbhes) October 22, 2020

Blindboy of the Rubberbandits also described the decision as "fucking disgusting" – noting that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party "have done something evil tonight".

FF/FG/The Greens have done something evil tonight. They did it most likely to protect evil people who can still be held accountable. There’s no logical, or compassionate reason to do this

— The Blindboy Podcast (@Rubberbandits) October 22, 2020

Sinéad O'Connor responded to the news by noting that Ireland has been "officially (re) named a Shithole country."

People Before Profit TD Brid Smith urged people to "never forget this".

Never forget this #Stand4Truth #UnsealTheArchive pic.twitter.com/tC3Qdwnarr

— Brid Smith TD (@bridsmithTD) October 22, 2020

She also noted: "Seldom have I felt so disempowered at a Dáil debate... and I am elected – how disempowered must survivors feel?"

Seldom have I felt so disempowered at a Dáil debate #Stand4Truth #UnsealTheArchive and I am elected - how disempowered must survivors feel?

— Brid Smith TD (@bridsmithTD) October 22, 2020

Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman, meanwhile, has apologised for his "failure to communicate which caused anxiety", on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

He also shared a statement on Twitter, in which he remarked that the bill "does not seal the archive for 30 years."

"The bill was brought to ensure we could save information from being sealed by a pre-existing requirement under an earlier law," he continued. "I want to overcome this restriction too."

A statement on this evening's #MotherAndBabyHome Bill. pic.twitter.com/5sqP9ndzPu

— Roderic O’Gorman TD (@rodericogorman) October 22, 2020

However, O'Gorman's attempts to clarify his position have still attracted criticism.

‘huge amounts of anger’ is quite the understatement! You’re done,the Greens are done! you’ve piled injustice on injustice,added to the silencing of women’s voices, perpetuating the secrecy, shame & stigma which underpinned these institutions. #UnsealTheArchive #MotherAndBabyHomes https://t.co/lEPR0HSf4z

— Dr Mary McAuliffe (@MaryMcAuliffe4) October 23, 2020

“We sealed the information so we could unseal it and then have a look at it with X-ray goggles through the seal” (idk what the hell has happened, but government communications need to be less bloody complicated 🥴) https://t.co/1BfxOmz18K

— James Kavanagh (@JamesKavanagh_) October 23, 2020