Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)

There is a group of elderly people outside the Dáil at the minute on hunger strike. They are survivors of institutional abuse and have very modest requests regarding access to a HAA medical card and a pension. These requests were refused by Government during the discussions on the recent legislation. There are concerns for this vulnerable group across the political divide but also by the Special Advocate and by the Justice for Magdalenes group. I have written to the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, Deputy McEntee, and my party leader has done the same. Will the Taoiseach, as Head of Government, engage with this group of people and encourage the Minister to do the same to come to some resolution?

See this speech in context