Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As we have just heard, several of our amendments have been ruled out of order in this particularly important section. I want to speak again about an issue on which, regrettably, the Minister decided to take a vow of silence around 25 minutes ago. It comes up again in this section and, of course, I have every right to raise it. It is the issue of the arbitrary, inappropriate and unfair restriction of people who spent just less than six months in a residency. To be clear for those watching at home, a child resident for 180 days under the Minister's Bill will receive €12,500 whereas a child resident for 179 days will receive zero. The Government – including the Minister, indeed – has effectively excluded approximately 24,000 survivors. This restriction is based purely on monetary concerns and must be removed so all survivors will be included without exception. Again, I have to pose the following question because I am still waiting for an answer: how does the Minister justify this arbitrary exclusion of people who spent less than six months in one of the institutions? Could he answer not only for me but also for those watching at home anxiously? It is a reasonable question. How does the Minister justify this arbitrary, inappropriate and unfair restriction? I would appreciate an answer.