The Government has said survivors of Mother and Baby Homes will be able to access their personal records under data protection legislation.

It comes after widespread condemnation of plans to seal an archive of records compiled by the Commission of Investigation into the facilities for 30-years.

Nearly 200,000 people signed a petition calling for survivors and relatives to be given access to the records.

Following a ‘detailed reflection’ about the controversy at Cabinet today, the Government said it “acknowledges and regrets the genuine hurt felt by many people across Irish society.”

It said it was “determined to take the necessary actions to ensure that these concerns are dealt with in a manner that is timely, appropriate and that is focused on the needs of victims and survivors.”

As part of a range of actions announced this evening, the Government said it would work with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner to ensure that the rights of all citizens to access their personal information would be “fully respected and implemented.”

It said extra resources would be made available to help people access the records where necessary.

It also pledged to establish a national archive of records related to institutional trauma during the 20th Century.

It said the archive would be “developed at a suitable site and operated in accordance with the highest international standards.”

“It will be designed in cooperation with professional archivists and historians, as well as with victims, survivors and their advocates,” it said.

The 4,000-page report from the Commission of Investigation will be handed to the Children’s Minister Roderic O'Gorman on Friday.

However, it needs to be given legal consideration, including as to whether the publication of the report will impact any ongoing criminal cases in the courts.

No date has been given for its publication; however, the Government has promised to publish it “as soon as possible after it is received by the Minister.”

Speaking to On the Record with Gavan Reilly on Sunday, Minister O’Gorman said he "deeply" regretted his failure to communicate and engage with survivors of mother and baby homes before the controversy broke.