Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When I first heard about the independent panel, I welcomed it because of the unprecedented number of cases. Not all of these cases will be valid, but some will and I believe some are strong cases and are definitely eligible for an independent commission of investigation. However, the difficulty is that these cases have all been lumped together and I understand that until they have all been reviewed, we will not have an assessment. Can interim recommendations be made along the way? For example, can the counsel say, for example, that they have looked at 20 cases and make recommendations in regard to those cases, rather than make people wait for a long time until all the cases have been reviewed, thereby increasing people's anxiety?

Also, currently the panel is looking through the documentary evidence provided to it. Some families have the capacity to explain the case in great detail, but others may not have that capacity. A face-to-face interview to clarify some of the matters raised might be helpful. Will the Minister permit the independent counsel to meet some of the complainants face to face to clarify any matters of which they are unsure?

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