Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Let me be clear. The Minister is yet to give us a clear response on this issue. How does he justify the 180-day rule? How does he justify excluding thousands of people from this scheme? It is horrendous. As I have said to him before, he will not be remembered as the Minister who resolved these issues. He will be remembered as the Minister who continued to fail the survivors of mother and baby homes. That is the reality. He is writing his epitaph here this evening. I am appealing to him once again, although I know I am wasting my time, to look at this issue and give us a clear answer, not for me but for the people in the Gallery and the significant numbers watching at home. They are watching another Government fail the survivors of mother and baby home institutions. Will he give us a clear answer instead of speaking a line he has been handed? Why is he excluding people who spent fewer than 180 days in these institutions? Will he please give an answer?