Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. If we are having a discussion about what is reasonable, I will note a couple of points. I appreciate the point that one should not be able to say "My words will be documented but the response will not be." That point has been made to me and it is fair enough. That is the kind of nuance that may be there. However, it should also not be the case that if one does not specify at the very beginning that one wants a process to be in public, that route is then closed off. For many people, it is only when they find themselves in a process that they feel isolated by it being in private. That can happen and it can be people's experience. They may wish to say they would feel better and more supported if the hearing was in public. Indeed, I am finding that some people consider privacy important but that others find speaking about their experience publicly to be very important for their own process and healing. That might be something that is important. In that context, we must ensure it is not a matter of saying a room is already booked and it is too late for someone to change her mind. People will sometimes wish to change their mind. While I am reassured to hear the OPW is seeking spaces in that regard, the Minister will understand the concern that the State has form on this and that form is that it says "No" to public hearings. That is the precedent and that is the context.That is why there is somewhat of a burden of proof on the State to indicate that it will be seeking to respect the voices of women.

I appreciate that the Minister is suggesting that it may be that the tribunal procedures may be able to clarify how this will be determined. However, I would like an assurance, if possible, from the Minister that if the procedures that probably will be set up with the passing of this Bill over the summer do not adequately address this issue, we will have the opportunity to address this issue in the legislation that the Minister has indicated he plans to bring forward in the autumn. It is very important that it be addressed and that it not be an ambiguity. It should be borne in mind again that these are private individuals from every walk of life. We should not have a situation where they are having to navigate any kind of complicated process to have their views respected and reflected.

There is another area, which we will come to in sections 32 and 33, where I have similar concerns about the voice of women and how it may be reflected or sensed. I would like to have an assurance that if we see a pattern of refusals of requests emerging, the Minister would be prepared to come to this and the to other House to address that.

As Members, many of us have been contacted by women involved in other processes where the State has failed in its relationship with women and they have found they have no route to be heard. So often, many of us as individual parliamentarians have been asked to bring the voices and experiences of women directly and indirectly through. It is very important that the direct voice is always heard wherever that is sought.

I thank the Minister and would like to work with him over the summer on this issue. I expect that it will be addressed in the autumn legislation. I will press the amendment now as it is an important point, but I hope we will send a satisfactory signal to women. I will raise a similar concern on section 33 when that section arises.