Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Déanaim comhbhrón ar mo shon féin agus ar son Shinn Féin le teaghlaigh agus cairde na ndaoine a maraíodh in Orlando sna Stáit Aontaithe. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha. Chuir sé déistin orm nuair a chonaic mé an t-imeacht. Caithfimid uilig seasamh go láidir in aghaidh an ionsaithe seo.

On my behalf and on behalf of Sinn Féin, I want to extend our sincerest and heartfelt sympathy and solidarity to the families and friends of those killed in the despicable act of brutality and hate in Orlando on Sunday. We in Ireland and people in the USA enjoy an excellent relationship, and Irish people, like people throughout the world, watched in shock and horror the news of those brutal killings and of families being robbed of loved ones - sons, daughters, spouses, colleagues, work mates, parents and siblings. It is another painful and harrowing reminder of the struggle for gay, lesbian and transgender equality the world over, and the need for all of us to work towards that aim. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are going through terrible pain at this time.

Tá dhá cheist agam agus ceann amháin acu faoi chlár an Rialtais and the other about the citizen's assembly, about which the Taoiseach spoke earlier. Last week the UN Human Rights Committee issued a very stern rebuke to this State and accused us of subjecting Amanda Mellet to discrimination and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. It also criticised us for putting Ms Mellet through the financial and emotional suffering that she endured. The UN body ordered the Government to compensate Ms Mellet and to ensure she receives the adequate psychological treatment she may need.

Can the Taoiseach confirm she will be compensated and will receive any psychological treatment she requires? Can he tell us when the citizen's assembly he has proposed will be established? The commitment is to do it within six months. Has the Taoiseach set a date for its first meeting? Given that other women might find themselves in a similar situation to Ms Mellet, there is an urgency about dealing with this matter. Can the Taoiseach spell out what consultation will be undertaken with Dáil Members? The Taoiseach says an alternative needs to be in place, which is fair enough, and while we in Sinn Féin want to see constitutional change, that is up to the people. Can the Taoiseach spell out what consultation will be undertaken with Dáil Members, especially around these matters of constitutional change?

Last week I raised the issue of Moore Street under the programme for Government.

I specifically asked whether the Minister plans to appeal the High Court judgment to protect the Moore Street national monument. The Taoiseach said, "The Minister has not decided to appeal the case", but then went on to say: "It is not a matter of wanting to appeal the case. There is a requirement for clarification." Will the Taoiseach spell out what is the legal basis of seeking clarification and what is the clarification that is being sought? His reply has led to public concern, including the concerns of the 1916 relatives who took the court case in the first place. I share this concern. It seems to me this could be an appeal by another name. We all know that in this centenary year of 1916 the public response to all of the centenary events has been very uplifting. The High Court decision, which should never have had to be made in the first instance, has been widely welcomed. Will the Taoiseach tell us clearly whether the Government is appealing the High Court judgment? Can we ensure that any development plans for the area and the Moore Street battlefield site will protect the entire national monument as defined by the High Court? Will the Taoiseach give us some indication as to when we can expect detailed proposals on the sensible development of this site and its environment?

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