Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I would like to answer.

I gave an undertaking to Deputy Rabbitte two weeks ago that I would meet the families. I cleared my diary to do that last week. I also got the Minister to attend. However, shortly beforehand, I was told the families did not want to meet me but that their legal representative would contact me. I contacted that person, who said he wished to send in a submission first. I agreed that if the families attended this week, I would meet them. Then they said they did not want to meet me this week but would do so next week. I agreed, but then their legal representative said he would not have his report in until then, meaning that it would have to be after St. Patrick's Day. In the meantime, the families decided to march on me. However, I have done everything possible.

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