Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I met the group last Friday week. I asked them in to Government Buildings and we met in the Taoiseach's offices and had a lengthy discussion. Deputy Murphy knows the history. I established the inquiry into the industrial schools. That was followed by a comprehensive redress scheme and other measures that were taken. We are willing to engage and I have asked my officials to look at all the various requests from the group, but there are repercussions elsewhere and it is not as simple or straightforward as has been presented. We are willing to engage and quite a list of issues was discussed. I have asked my officials to look at those issues and I am also meeting the Minister for education, whose officials have offered to meet the group on her behalf. I would like this resolved but there has to be a bit of flexibility so we can get into a process. I would like them to come off the hunger strike because it can be damaging health-wise. I would like them to come off it in good faith that we would engage on issues and try to improve what is there already.

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