Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

Why was it necessary to pursue this woman for costs on the part of the State, whatever about her own costs? She is an exceptionally brave person who challenged a fundamental principle in Irish education. The case has historical and legal precedent. As the Minister stated, comments made by Mr. Justice Murray at the time referred to the particularly complex relationship between primary school teachers and the Department of Education and Science. Is the Minister telling the House that neither he nor his Department had any responsibility and that is was exclusively a matter for the State Claims Agency? I believe undue pressure was put on this woman who had previously been abused and gone through the courts. Given the judgment of the Supreme Court, I would have thought that we had a responsibility at least to pay costs on the part of the State. Is the Minister telling the House that it was not the decision of his Department but rather that of the State Claims Agency to pursue this woman for costs?

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