Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

As the Deputy said, I do not think there is any disagreement as to what has happened to these people. We are all agreed about the breach of trust that occurred. I hope people will recover but it is very difficult to see how that recovery will occur. The difficulty we have in terms of an inquiry is that I do not believe there is any stomach in the House or among the public for another public inquiry, no matter the circumstances or what we believe. Our difficulty is that the constitutional amendment in regard to inquiries which could have been carried out by committees of the Dáil Éireann was rejected by the people.

I very much take on board what the Deputy said about the conclusion of other inquiries going on. Let us see a way forward from them because they are taking an inordinately long time and we need to ensure they are brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible, no matter what the outcome. While the Garda inquiries are going on, there is a barrier there which we need to try to get over. The only way to get over it is to bring the inquiries to a conclusion. I agree entirely with the Deputy on that and I will pursue that matter with the Minister for Justice and Equality.

In regard to the funding, unfortunately, the circumstances are as we find them. However, I will not just note what the Deputy said but I will convey his sentiments to the Minister in the strongest possible terms.

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