Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is a very important question. We are trying to find as many alternative pathways as possible. This week I got approval from the Cabinet for the publication of the full tribunal Bill. I heard Deputy Mattie McGrath refer to it as a different sort of tribunal. The idea here is that this would be an adjudicative tribunal and an alternative to court. I intend to introduce that Bill on Second Stage in this House next week and, with the co-operation of Deputies on all sides of the House - the Deputy's party has been co-operative - I believe we can pass that legislation before these Houses rise for the summer recess and we can put this tribunal in place by the autumn which will provide women with an alternative pathway. The ex gratiascheme we have put in place is another pathway. I acknowledge that is only for the non-disclosure element. The independent assessment panel yesterday decided on the amount to be paid out for non-disclosure by the ex gratiascheme and I expect those payments to issue in the coming weeks.

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