Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)

As a first-time Deputy, I welcome the Bill. The supports it provides are very much necessary. The original residential institutions redress scheme was very transactional and survivors had a really hard time applying for redress.

As Deputy Heneghan mentioned, the Artane industrial school was in our constituency. I am acutely aware of the trauma endured by those who attended the school, both while in the school and for many years afterwards. That hurt and the impact of the school are still very much felt in the area. I hope the country has acknowledged and learned from previous redress schemes such as Magdalen institutions and mother and baby homes scheme. While there are questions about exactly how the net is cast, they are not as adversarial and applicants are less likely to have to relive their awful trauma and hurt.

I am aware of the advocacy work being done by groups, such as Sage Advocacy, on behalf of survivors. I have had very positive feedback from some of my former council colleagues and Dublin City Council regarding the passion of these groups and the efforts they make, particularly on housing advocacy because housing is an issue for survivors, with local authorities on behalf of survivors. I ask and encourage survivors to continue to come forward so they can be supported. It is the least we can do for them after all the trauma they have endured.

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