Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I assure the Deputy this is receiving a lot of attention, as it should, from Government and the State. We want to see this resolved. I understand a mediator met with the group this week - I think on Wednesday. There is work following on and flowing from that. I really understand the emotion and sensitivity of this but I would urge - I think it is the responsible thing for me to urge - people to come off hunger strike. I understand the depth of feeling, the pain and suffering. I get that, but if people could come off hunger strike we are wanting to see engagement in good faith. We want to see the health and well-being of the people.

On the issue of a written update, I will just need to check on that. I am not certain of where that is at. I understand a mediator met the group this week and there was to be follow-up work and then further engagement. Let me see if there can be any steps to give people the confidence to come off that hunger strike but I would really urge people to do that. We want to see engagement in good faith to try and resolve this and that is why a mediator has been appointed.

See this speech in context