Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)

We certainly will. One of the victims who attended that meeting made a very good analogy, stating that what they were talking about was moneys being set up into funds which people can access for education, welfare, health, whatever. This victim has a son who has autism. He has been trying for two years to get a special wheelchair for his son but the HSE has not conceded to his request in any way. He made the very valid point that if the moneys were paid directly to him he would avoid a great deal of wastage of public servants' time and could buy the wheelchair himself, which would meet his son's needs. I believe the clergy also made the point that victims should have direct access to the funds. There is a danger, a legitimate one in my view, that this money will be used to support quangos or groups in administration rather than going to the actual victims. It is not in any way an unreasonable demand.

Another problem with the legislation is that it excludes the children and family members of abuse victims from accessing the funds, a mechanism which was available in the schemes previously. The point has been made, and is well backed up by research, that the only way of breaking the cycle is through access to education and proper family support, etc. Excluding children and families is not in any way doing justice to these people.

There are enormous problems with the Bill. We are already working on multiple amendments but it would be much preferable if the Bill was rejected at this Stage because-----

See this speech in context