Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Coonan for sharing time. It is time the Government established a redress board to provide compensation for the National Coalminers Group and acknowledge the contribution the miners have made to this country. In my area of Arigna, which covers counties Roscommon, Leitrim and Sligo, the survivors and widows have been forgotten. I ask the Minister for Social Protection, with the Departments of Health and Children and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to come up with a package to acknowledge and recognise what these people have done. They have been forgotten for far too long. I ask the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, to work with the various Departments to come up with some form of redress or compensation.

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