Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I am calling on the Minister with responsibility for the Residential Institutions Redress Board to outline Mr. Sweeney's case to the House. Issues affecting the world are raised in the House, yet there is a man outside the gates on the 21st day of a hunger strike. It is about time someone took action because in a few days he could be dead. The Archbishop of Dublin, Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, who is a great humanitarian, made a private visit to him last night. The Leader of the House has also intervened with regard to an ambulance.

Hunger strike is an extreme weapon of protest. Although I accept that governments cannot give in to every hunger strike, something must be done in this case. He is not allowed to put up a tent to keep himself and his son, who is with him, dry at night. This was a particular problem last night given the wind and rain. We are standing idly by and it is time somebody dealt with this case. Initially he was offered €115,000 by the redress board, but it was reduced by approximately €50,000. If it is restored, he will break his strike and go to his grandchildren's First Holy Communion on Saturday. I appeal to the Leader to ask the appropriate Minister to come to the House for an emergency debate to explain why Mr. Sweeney is on hunger strike and how we can assist in getting him to come off it.