Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to put on record the support of Sinn Féin for this important amendment. One of the most unsatisfactory aspects of the Minister’s handling of this Bill is the lack of any clear line on how he will ensure proper compensation from the religious orders and, in particular, from the pharmaceutical company. He seems to be saying that is something he will look at separately. To be frank, that is just not good enough. I remember very well the appalling deal that was done by Michael Woods some years ago. That is now recognised as having been a disgraceful deal done by a Fianna Fáil Minister. I believe the total was €128 million. That was one of the worst moments of Fianna Fáil’s history. The Minister now has an opportunity to do something but he is not doing it. He is simply saying it is something he might pursue, but he will do it separately from this. This needs to be done. At the very least, this report needs to be done to specify how we can ensure we get proper compensation in regard to the appalling things that happened to children at the hands of GSK and these religious institutions. The Minister can and should do better. Alas, I expect that once again, he will not.