Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate being allowed to speak a second time. I last spoke before the Minister had replied. He has shown steadfast unwillingness and belligerence with regard to all of the amendments. It is sad to see it suggested that an issue that has gone on for so long, nearly three quarters of century in places, should go on for a full century and that access to these survivors' records should be denied to them, their families, their loved ones and campaigners for justice. I have been in the Dáil for nearly 14 years and have been here for a number of debates on this sad and deplorable issue. I have seen taoisigh and others brought to tears when apologising. I was going to refer to crocodile tears, although I do not mean that personally, but tears like these, pious platitudes, nice or humbling words and passionate views and speeches are no good to survivors. This needs to be dealt with. We cannot push it any further down the road.

I again thank the people who took the trouble to email, write to or ring me or to call to my office. Even today, I got a call from a man in Nenagh about what went on in Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea in my own county. The people involved there have fought the good fight and have been blocked at every turn. They have some awful and harrowing stories to tell. I support them, thank them and give them some solace. If they are watching from home today, they will see very few in the Chamber and they will see a Minister, who is a member of the Green Party, which tells us that it is modern in its thinking and which is passionate about new climate initiatives on so on, toeing the party line and complying with the party whip for the sake of a State car and getting his legs under the table of Government. The Minister will deny everything he has claimed to stand for. I know many who will be galled to vote down this amendment tonight, but who will still do so. As a previous speaker said, one can understand the whip being used on budgetary or taxation legislation, but there is no place for party whips in such an emotional and charged atmosphere and when dealing with such a sensitive and sad saga in our history.

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