Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this very important topic. Again, we have put the survivors at the centre of attention nationally for the wrong reasons and poured more pain onto them. In terms of the amount of correspondence I have had on this issue in the past two weeks, it is the single biggest issue that has come to my office in a long time.

It is important that we stop and think about what we are actually doing. I welcome the motion put down by the Social Democrats. I welcome the fact that the Government is not opposing the motion. However, we need to hear from the Government what it is going to do about the matter. First, is it going to make sure that the term of the commission will be extended? Second, in terms of the records that rightfully belong to these witnesses who bravely came forward, will the Government ensure that they will have access to them? Will that be done clearly and unambiguously?

I understand we have made a very complicated matter more complicated and the idea that we are introducing legislation to do this, that and the other is of no comfort or consolation to the survivors. It is of no consolation to their families, who have seen them tormented for years, and apparently continuing to be tormented by the Government. We need to stop it and ensure these people are put centre stage.

I support the motion but we must also ensure we are not just talking about this matter. The time for talking is over and we need to see the survivors and families put centre stage. We can do it and we have the power to do it. We can say "No" if we do not want to do it and we can give reasons we cannot do it. If we have a will, a way will be found. I plead with the Minister and the Government to stand up for survivors once and for all to ensure these are the people who benefit from any decisions we make. We must not torment them any further. I also support the Labour Party provision relating to enhanced medical cards for all, which has been called for repeatedly. I ask the Government to do this and little will convince me otherwise until I see that done. The Government has an opportunity and I fervently ask the Minister to take it and ensure it does something for the survivors.

This is a very emotional subject for people and we keep talking about it but the time for action has come. Today is the Minister's day. He must extend the life of the commission as there is much that it still has to deal with. I ask him to extend it and to ensure the survivors are heard, their rights are protected and their records given to the commission - their property - are also protected and given back to them. It is their right and their property. The laws are there. Amnesty International and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties have asked for the commission of investigation to be extended and for the survivors to be put centre stage. I am pleading with the Minister to take this on board and not just say he is not opposing this while he does nothing about it. I want action to be taken.

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