Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have given the Deputy several examples of cases where the Government put a redress scheme in place, even though the case was lost in court. Symphysiotomy is one example of that. The Government also decided to put in place compensation schemes in respect of mother and baby institutions, Magdalen laundries, mica, pyrite and apartment block defects, despite the fact that there was never a finding against the State with regard to those matters.

What is the common good? The common good has to take into account what is right and just. It also has to protect the taxpayer and look at what is the broad common interest. Yes, we want to put right the wrongs of the past but we need to bear in mind that there are demands now and for the future. With the best will in the world, no matter what the financial position is for any Government, it can only spend the same euro once. As much as possible, we want budgets to be spent helping people who need that help today. That is the judgment call people have to make.

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