Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I am aware that the UN is providing information but my satisfaction will depend on whether the family are satisfied, so I want to keep in close contact with them. I had the honour of meeting John McNeela at the national day of commemoration. When I met him, I credited the Deputy regarding his advocacy of the family's situation. We are committed to rectifying this in primary legislation and I spoke to my Secretary General in recent days about this. It will need to be changed through primary legislation. I am not sure there is an administrative solution but I have asked for the quickest Bill into which to insert this amendment. If it can be a vehicle other than a defence Bill, I am open to that. We are engaging with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Social Protection. I will try to come back to the Deputy with a timeline in the next couple of weeks as to how we can move this forward. It does not necessarily have to wait for defence legislation. Other legislation could move more quickly.

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