Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I support amendment Nos. 14 in the names of Deputies Funchion and Ward. Deputy Holly Cairns and I believe that this wording represents much more proactive language designed to oblige interventions for justice. Where the Minister's Bill states the Government “may” refuse, the amendment states that the Government “shall” make every effort. We believe the latter is more committed to seeking justice to adequately respond to the horrors of our institutional past. Crucially, the amendment recognises the complex feelings and potential disputes that surround these sites, with some survivors, relatives and others having different perspectives on what should happen to the sites. A key part of the pre-legislative scrutiny was highlighting the need for structured and empathetic structures to deal with these matters. As a result, I strongly support the amendment.

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