Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the reports from the Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland, the most recent report is indeed very significant and deeply concerning and is the second such report in a matter of weeks. It examined eight loyalist paramilitary attacks in south Belfast between 1990 and 1998, which resulted in 11 murders and one attempted murder. The report has found strong evidence of investigative and intelligence failures, collusive behaviours by the RUC, including the continued unjustified use of informants involved in serious criminality and murder, and the return of weapons to loyalist paramilitaries. The report is, quite simply, appalling.

Last week I met with a number of victims and survivors groups from across the community in Northern Ireland. I met with Mark Sykes, who is a survivor of the Sean Graham bookmakers massacre attack. I was very grateful to him for taking the time to talk to me on the 30th anniversary of that shooting. It was very emotional for Mr. Sykes, and it was as was clear to him 30 years on as it was on the day it happened.

I do not have an issue with the House debating these issues in a structured way. It will not be possible this week. We have the Business Committee and it was anticipated this report was coming. There are now three Private Members' motion opportunities for the Opposition every week. I remember a couple of years ago back in 2015 there was only one opportunity. Now there are three opportunities per week. We are also a legislative Chamber and we do need to get legislation through. We need to balance it. While it will not be possible this week to do it, I have no issue with the Whips arranging at some future date to discuss this issue in a structured way.

On Children's Health Ireland, the €5 million went from the Health Service Executive to Children's Health Ireland for expenditure in the paediatric hospitals and in Cappagh hospital for further measures on top of other measures already taken to get waiting lists down for those children with spina bifida, scoliosis and a range of orthopaedic-----

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