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

The Minister will appreciate, particularly regarding the Guerin report and some cases that have come to public prominence, that many families may have let their own cases rest or become dormant but later came forward. Many people in politics on both sides of the House have been meeting families and listening to their cases, which is why I welcomed this initiative when it took place. While I accept that the panel is independent, have its members been meeting the persons who made the allegations to follow up and clarify the documentation submitted? Have the panel members examined the original Garda files? How rigorous is the process involved? As the Minister is aware, I am sure there will be many disappointed people whenever the matters come forward. While some cases undoubtedly will not justify further action, I believe that some will. If there are disappointed families, it will be important to demonstrate that this process was both independent and rigorous and that, unfortunately, nothing more can be done in the independent view of the barristers, having engaged in a rigorous process.

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