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

I agree with the Deputy on this matter. As she knows, I have been to the site in Tuam many times. I have spoken to those affected both as a group and individually and I have met them at the site. Through these experiences I have come to a deeper understanding of the hurt and shame suffered as the years are passing, as Deputy Rabbitte so eloquently described. She has clearly also had that kind of conversation and she has ably represented her people in that regard.

In response to the question on fast-tracking or speeding things up, I have at this stage placed this matter in the hands of the collaborative forum. My personal view is that I would like to do this as quickly as possible. As we well know, however, the question is how to do this in the best possible manner so as to get people what they actually need, process the information and have the payments made. All of these practical issues have to be looked at as well, which is the reason I hope those involved in the collaborative forum will come to me. I would love it if they could do so before the six months have passed and make those recommendations. We can then see how we can follow up on this.

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