Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Whether it is permissible or appropriate for an unaccompanied minor to be allowed by adults to participate in a hunger strike or threaten self-harm as part of an organised protest is a matter not merely for those adults but also the HSE, which must form a judgment in the interests of that minor and take whatever action is appropriate to protect the minor. I wish coldly and rationally to emphasise this point.

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