Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The conversation we had last week in the Seanad was specifically around this issue relating to the Government amendments Nos. 2 and 10. Their specific purpose is to address the concerns Senators have raised. Senator Ruane spoke to this issue incredibly well and powerfully last week. In the terms of reference and in the leaflet that was given to those who came before the confidential committee to tell their stories, people were not asked if they wanted their names to be kept and for the public to be able to see and identify what had happened to them. The Minister felt that this lack of agency was an injustice. These two amendments would provide that those people who do not want their names attached to their stories will be able to ensure that this does not happen.Those who do also will be able to ensure that this happens. It gives people a sense of agency that they did not have. An awful lot of other things in respect of agency are not being addressed here. That is very clear and is why this is the start of what will be a long and difficult process for many people in this country. That is why that date of February is there. The commission will publish its report at the end of October. That is what it said it is going to do and it has not looked for an extension. That period of time is there in order that everybody can be contacted and be allowed that sense of agency. These two amendments are welcome and they achieve what the Seanad was asking the Minister to do.