Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister said that in exceptional circumstances Ms Justice Harding Clark has discretion to extend the time for receipt of applications by an additional 20 working days, which is up to 14 January 2015. I do not believe the Minister's hand is entirely across all of this. I believe some of it most certainly was devised before he took up the health portfolio. Why does he believe these very restrictive opportunities have been laid down in this particular case regarding this particular cohort of victims? It compares terribly with the State's position on the other cases I have instanced, such as hepatitis C, residential institutions and Magdalen laundries. It is intolerable this is the situation that applies. Even if Ms Justice Harding Clark were to apply her discretion, it is only an additional 20 days.

In my opening contribution to this Topical Issues debate I instanced a number of possible situations that can arise where women may not be able to present to take up the offer of the terms of this redress scheme. Will the Minister please explain why he believes it is necessary to apply such a restrictive timeframe in this instance? Will he please, and I am asking sincerely, reconsider this particular element to allow more time?

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