Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

This is a very difficult session. The pain and trauma are very obvious. I am at one remove as I sit here listening to stories. They are not my stories and I am not one who is directly feeling this or who has directly experienced this pain and trauma. I thank the witnesses for coming and for their bravery in sharing their stories. I thank Ms Peake and the WAVE centre for the support they provide and the work they do against that background.

I echo Dr. Farry's point that the rule of law and human rights are of fundamental importance. There is a right to truth established in the European Court of Human Rights. The truth ultimately is what the families before us are asking for. As a committee, we are doing what we can to ensure that truth comes out and to help to heal the trauma and suffering in any way that we can.

A question was asked earlier that I am not sure was answered. I would like Ms Peake to set out what it is we can do. We can have these sessions and make our appeals for information, but for those of us on this committee, what can we do to support WAVE Trauma Centre in the work it does? Ms Peake mentioned the pension scheme. There was a remembrance commission scheme here that paid out mostly once-off payments but my understanding is that medical payments for victims of the Troubles in need of medical treatment are available through the Victims of Crime Office. There is no direct pension right. In that regard, further information, even in writing, in follow-up to the committee would be very useful. Senator Blaney also asked for that information and mentioned that the committee should engage with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, on that issue. Any additional information the witnesses could send to us that would shed a light on that would be very useful.

I reiterate my question as to what we, as a committee, can do to support the important work that is being done in the search for that truth that is ultimately now the human right of the people before us.