Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is one of the biggest and most contentious issues. Senator Ruane suggested that this is one of the red line issues and I agree. In terms of the needs and wishes of the survivors, their families and advocates, this matter has been raised with me constantly. It has been a consistent concern.

I took the time to read the committee engagement in relation to this and it was interesting to note that the committee was supportive of the idea of the registered letter. Indeed, Senator Seery Kearney has just explained some of that to us, which I found very helpful. There is a real dilemma around this issue. I also looked at the Dáil debates and again, there were issues around that.

I want to acknowledge the enormous amount of work that the leader of the Labour Party, Deputy Bacik, has done on this. She argued strongly on these particular issues in the Dáil. The record speaks for itself. There was clearly a lot of flow and engagement around these issues. Part of the issue is the mandatory information session. I can see some of the reason and logic behind the mandatory information sessions but I can also see why there is genuine concern for people who may have a difficulty engaging with them. It is about having some sort of practical, meaningful and effective alternative for those who have concerns in relation to it.

There has been a lot of debate on this issue. We have committees here but what is the point in having them if we are not going to take on board their recommendations? This was teased out at great length in the committee and it was also teased out in the Dáil. I support these two amendments. The issue is how to bridge the gap between the mandatory information sessions and some alternative.