Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Institutions included on the list must be identified as reformatory schools, industrial schools, orphanages, children's homes and special schools in which children are placed and resident. A key feature is that a public body had to have a regulatory or inspection function. In many cases, we are still trying to identify whether the State or a public body had a regulatory function and, therefore, our liability in that regard. That might delay the inclusion of some of the institutions.

On the case last week, I do not believe it is necessary to amend the legislation. I think everybody will agree the system works very well. There are distinct advantages to the redress scheme and the way it works. It is practical and people are able to get financial redress for what they have suffered. It is very fast and there is a much lower burden of proof. It is not an adversarial process. Many people have had offers made to them on the basis of an application and without ever having their cases heard. Many people have accepted that on the basis that it is private.

It is important to note that of all the awards made by the redress board only four have been rejected. The number of awards of over €200,000 made by the redress board or the review committee that have not been accepted is nil. It is working very sensitively and efficiently and that is what is important to the victims.

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