Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)

I want to raise the hunger strike being undertaken outside the Dáil by five people who are survivors of industrial schools. It has been going on since 21 September. I know many other Senators have raised their concerns in this House. I am very concerned about their health and the ongoing health issues they may endure later as a result of this hunger strike. I acknowledge there has been some engagement with the Minister for education, Deputy McEntee, and higher up in government. That door has been left open for engagement but I do not think any commitments have been made that would persuade them to come off their hunger strike. Maybe whoever is involved can dig a little bit deeper to give them some commitment to persuade them, but they are very headstrong and committed. As someone said to me, they do not feel they have anything to lose at this stage. That is also worrying. I do not think they are asking for an awful lot. They are looking for the Health (Amendment) Act medical card, which would give them increased medical supports, more than the enhanced medical card, for example. Medical supports for survivors and priority on the housing list are things that are very important for them. The last thing we want is for any one of them to be back in an institution in later life. If we could provide medical supports and caring supports, they could remain in their own home and be able to live a comfortable life. They have already suffered enough at the hands of this State.