Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate that point but the argument cannot be brought to any conclusion because it is impossible to know where one would need to have put this information to ensure that everybody received it. However, had the Department been aware of 16 cases, as it clearly was, and had it not informed the people concerned that this scheme was in place, a case could be fairly made that information was available to the Department which it had withheld from people. Frankly, I do not see how the Department could have informed people of whom it was not aware in the first place, and I certainly do not see how it could defend not telling the people of whom it was aware. That point is absolute rubbish and does not withstand any type of examination.

With regard to the tragedy that befell this family and all 68 applicants in this case, and quite a number of others who did not apply for a variety of reasons, it is incumbent on all of us to take a sympathetic view. would be a wonderful world if we were able to design a scheme under which-----

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