Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, too, compliment and commend the Taoiseach for the very full apology he offered yesterday. I do not believe anybody expected anything less of him, it was just a matter of timing. I also include the Tánaiste, Deputy Micheál Martin and everyone else involved in yesterday's debate. I became extremely emotional when I saw all Members of Dáil Éireann give a standing ovation to the survivors seated in the Visitors Gallery. We normally give standing ovations to world leaders and celebrities. Yesterday one was given to decent human beings who had suffered quietly. That ovation was also related to the memory of those who had passed on. It is not just a matter of raising the spirits of the survivors; we have raised the spirits of the entire nation because we did the right thing. There are lessons to be learned from this.

On a completely separate and unconnected matter, yesterday I referred to Ms Marion Price who is incarcerated in Northern Ireland and currently in hospital in a very frail state. I welcome the Taoiseach's statement yesterday to the effect that he intends to raise the matter with the British Prime Minister and draw on the report of the all-party delegation which visited Ms Price. He will have a direct opportunity to raise a few fundamental questions about issues such as the location of a royal pardon given to Ms Price, why she is being subjected to a flawed process in respect of her appeal which is due to be heard in a couple of weeks and why human rights are being sidelined in this matter. This issue does not just relate to Ms Price, it also involves the need to be vigilant when it comes to the frailties in the appeals process. It is not just matters relating to prisoners, republicanism or unionism which are at stake. There are other issues relating to social deprivation and the fact that individuals have been sidelined and that there are individuals who have seen nothing good coming from the Good Friday Agreement or the appeals process. If we do not engage with those to whom I refer and individuals who have difficulties with flags, etc., there is always a danger that a new generation who have no connection with the past will come to the fore and focus on matters with which their communities have a particular difficulty. The Seanad played a significant role during the Troubles in bringing balance and a focus to fundamental and urgent issues as they arose. It can continue to do so. I am very pleased that the Taoiseach is prepared to take this matter to the highest level. I urge that this be done immediately because Ms Price's review will take place in two weeks.