Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact that the Minister met representatives from the various groups campaigning on this issue on 1 August last. However, no real progress has been made in the intervening period. I welcome the Minister's statement to the effect that it is open to women to pursue the matter through the courts and that he is not seeking to corral them into accepting whatever formula he and the Government might wish to present in terms of redress. Nevertheless, the Bill relating to this matter, which I introduced in the House and in respect of Second Stage of which there was unanimous agreement on the evening of 17 April last, has not been progressed. I am greatly concerned with regard to what appear to be delaying tactics designed to prevent the legislation being addressed further in the House. On 16 April, during the debate on the Private Members' Bill in question, the Minister stated, "The Government is also committed to dealing with this issue with all the sensitivity which is undoubtedly required".

Legal firms representing 167 of the survivors wrote to the Minister on 14 March last seeking a response within a reasonable period of weeks. Some considerable time later, the Minister's private sector issued a response indicating "Unfortunately, due to a very busy schedule of Government and Department business, the Minister regrets he will not be in a position to accede to your request". The purpose of the original letter was to initiate the Minister's engagement-----

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