Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Just because it is a long time ago, some people might ask whether it would make any difference. Where a miscarriage of justice may have occurred, it is extremely important that we correct the record. We need to provide clarity and assurance to the family. I will give some more detail in the process. Following the initial consideration of a case by departmental officials where they form a view that there was potentially a miscarriage of justice, we bring in the independent expert to examine all the information on the case. I again thank those who have provided that information to the particular expert in this case.

If it is advised that a presidential pardon should be awarded, I will bring that to Cabinet and then it goes on to the President to decide following advice of Government as to whether a pardon should be granted. I reassure the Deputy that this case has not been forgotten. It is being worked on and as soon as I get the report from the independent expert, I will act on it as quickly as possible.

See this speech in context