Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the Deputy's last question, that is absolutely and certainly my intention and I am pushing matters as quickly as I can.

With respect to the work of Galway County Council and the consultation it conducted using a variety of methodologies, I am aware there were criticisms about that as well, but it utilised a number of methodologies in order to get back from the people, as best it could, what different stakeholders felt regarding the options presented by the expert group. That report has only come to me recently and as I indicated that has gone to my interdepartmental working group. They are meeting this week on that.

The Deputy asked questions regarding the report that Dr. Shannon has submitted to us. It was mentioned in the expert working group's report that they said they could not cover some of the human rights implications regarding the right to a proper burial, the right of families to have the identity of the remains and all those different issues that Dr. Shannon has considered in a very technical manner in terms of international law or EU law etc. and we are considering that now. With all those different items coming in, including the final report from Galway County Council, I am trying to push and move this as quickly as possible. I am aware of the concerns with respect to the stakeholders getting that as soon as possible.

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