Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)

It is crucial for us to step back and look at the reason we are here - the experience of horrendous abuse suffered by many in institutions. The State has a responsibility in that regard. The people concerned have been excluded during their lives and not listened to. However, in framing this legislation we are talking about excluding some of them who under other circumstances would have been entitled to redress before now. That is simply wrong. The Minister says he will review the matter in two years, but Deputy Brendan Smith's point is critical. This is a diminishing group and because of their age profile their numbers are, sadly, becoming smaller. Therefore, two years is a long time for such a group to wait and providing for such a review period is just not good enough. We are talking about a statutory fund, allegedly, to meet the needs of survivors, many of whom tell us that their needs are not being met because we are excluding them from participating. The fund must be opened up in that regard, as otherwise we will be doing another wrong to the very ones for whom we are seeking some justice. The definition is too narrow. I fully endorse the point made that this would not be creating a bureaucratic nightmare of assessment if we were to open it up to the small numbers eligible to apply. These points have to be taken on board.

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