Peter Burke
Longford-Westmeath · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I thank Deputy Ó Broin for raising this important matter. I cannot imagine the trauma many families are going through right now as a result of the conclusion of An Coimisiún Pleanála on this file. This was a dark time in our past.”
“I thank Deputy Nash for his question on this very important issue. I will say clearly and unambiguously that I share his concerns in relation to ensuring that no product produced in Ireland ends up in the Russian military complex. We are very firm in that belief.”
“I have heard suggestions in some outlets that the Irish Government was in that company's corner at key European forums. That is not true. The European Commission has brought forward 20 sanctions packages and Ireland has supported them all 100%. It is very important to put that on the record.”
“I thank Deputy Wall for his very important intervention. I heard part of the interview this morning, which was exceptional and very courageous, showing leadership in an area which affects so many people in our society. I know the Minister for Health is supportive of the Deputy's initiative and remains so.”
“We have enacted the Family Courts Bill, establishing a dedicated family court to look at very sensitive items for victims. We have introduced an offence for non-fatal strangulation, reflecting the seriousness of the abuse and the stress and harm it causes.”
“I thank Deputy Murphy for being proactive and bringing forward a solution to try to operationalise a group of the Oireachtas and showing leadership to do that for Tipperary. I will absolutely bring that to the attention of the Minister for justice, particularly considering the cross-party aspect.”
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“I thank Deputy Stanley for raising a very important issue. Critically, he is quite right about the capacity and power of e-scooters. They are a huge risk to public safety. The Government is taking this very seriously. I echo the Deputy's calls that we have to make it a priority. I know there is an enforcement unit with An Garda Síochána and I know the work it has to do. It takes time because the prevalence of e-scooters now is very significant. We can all see that in our communities and in our daily lives. We have a huge body of work to do. I was absolutely shocked to hear the number of children who were in ICU last week directly as a result of e-scooters. Any parent would be so shocked to hear that. We have to turn that shock into action and ensure that we have enforcement-----”
“I really commend the Deputy on the work he is doing, putting the company first and putting the workers first in Monaghan because jobs of that scale in a rural community like in Monaghan is so important. I put them at a premium and will do all I can in my Ministry to protect them.”
“Not a week goes by that Deputy Maxwell does not mention Combilift to me. I know it has now reached its 100,000 milestone of machine-making in Monaghan, which is very significant. It provides huge employment. I know Martin and Robert there do exceptional work. It is really a lighthouse company for what we want in Ireland: innovation, an indigenous company, Irish born, exporting, growing its footprint in Ireland and operating in 85 markets around the globe. I absolutely assure the Deputy that Enterprise Ireland will be to the forefront of supporting that company's growth trajectory, which is very important to me as Minister because I want to demonstrate to others that this is what you can do when you have vision and ambition, working in partnership with Enterprise Ireland.”
“I will raise those concerns with the Minister for education. It is critical to give every child in society the opportunity to realise their ambition in life. In my own hometown, I have seen the growth of special education facilities and new special schools. We need to ensure every child in the State gets that opportunity. It is a huge challenge for the Government. I will raise the Deputy’s policy question with the Minister for education and ask her to come back to her directly.”
“We need a compassionate response from the Government that really puts survivors and victims to the fore in this case. I have not read the report from An Coimisiún Pleanála but I will relay the Deputy’s concerns to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste. Obviously, I cannot make a statement on the floor of the House unilaterally that requires action without the imprimatur of my government colleagues but, as I said, victims and survivors come first in a very dark history of our State.”
“The issue Deputy Smith raised is very important in protecting the most vulnerable children with additional needs and helping them progress in society. We can see the benefits of the investment by the State in special education over the last number of years, critically, the growth in special needs assistants and the growth in support for additional special classes. I will raise the Deputy’s concerns about Malahide to the Minister for education. It is very important and considering the scale and size of Malahide, I understand his concern. Hopefully, he can have a meeting to resolve the issue.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising the important issue for perfusionists who are at the forefront of supporting some very complex surgeries and ensuring patients can get back on their feet and partake in society again. This really demonstrates how our industrial relations system works and its value. Fórsa, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health came together and worked through the Labour Court and ultimately got an agreement where Fórsa has suspended industrial action and the dispute has been resolved. It is critical in terms of the public service pay agreement framework that we operationalise that resolution. I will bring the Deputy’s comments to the Minister for Health. Work is to commence on a new public service pay agreement which is so important for the cohesiveness in society.”
“It is a very significant challenge for the Government to deliver a successful Presidency. My informal meeting commences today when all the European Ministers will come to Dublin Castle to discuss issues that are at the core of Europe’s policy and future, which is so important to our country. I will talk to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade about the specific circumstances around the businesses the Deputy mentioned. I am not aware that they have been on to me specifically about the disruption the Deputy rightly pointed out, but I am happy to raise his comments with the Minister to see if we can put any mitigation measures in place as we deliver a highly successful Presidency.”
“I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for raising this very important issue. We need to support families and patients who have rare conditions. I know the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has significantly enhanced the approval process through the Health Products Regulatory Authority. More work is being carried out and a tender process is ongoing in that regard. One in every eight euro we spend in the State is on medicines. We have increased our spend very significantly but we have more to do, particularly in relation to rare diseases. The work in our strategy sets out very clearly where we want to get to. I thank Deputy O’Sullivan and his colleagues for the work he is doing highlighting this very important issue for some very vulnerable people.”
“I thank Deputy Callaghan for raising this important issue. Critically, we all know in society that work must pay. We must ensure that we are rewarding enterprise and people who are working because their contributions keep the economy going, pay for all our public services and, ultimately, protect the most vulnerable. That is why, in budget 2027, the Government collectively needs to make a big statement on income tax. It needs to support so many working families and ensure that they are getting more of their hard-earned money back - their own money back in their pockets - to demonstrate the Government's absolute clarity that we want to continue growing our workforce, supporting working families, ensuring that work will pay and that we reward enterprise.”
“I thank Deputy Dempsey for advocating on behalf of her constituents and, critically, calling out the work that the staff do in Our Lady's Hospital in Navan in supporting the community, often in challenging circumstances. I assure the Deputy, working with the Minister for Health, that we will support additional services to the hospital and, critically, support our community in the record budget that our health service now has. We expect significant delivery over the years ahead. I will bring the Deputy's comments to the Minister for Health as well.”
“There is a poverty unit in the Department of the Taoiseach now. In relation to budget 2026, we focused on the child support payment and having a separate budget for child poverty, which we need to accelerate in the years ahead.”
“The Deputy quite rightly outlined the challenges in this regard and how important it is to get equality of access and opportunity, which is a key theme. I support the Deputy's call to ensure that we have activity, regardless of age or socio-economic status. We must also progress the commitment in the sports for all approach, which is key on behalf of the Government. I will raise the Deputy's ideas in that regard with the Minister for sport. I commend her on driving this issue forward. This gives people opportunity. It is an investment in our children, our future, to be active and, essentially, bring them into the community, integrate them more and give them the best possibility of living a healthy life, which has huge additional benefits. We do not want any child to be held back by poverty.”
“Critically, it will improve the chances of our indigenous economy. I always point out that the top ten Irish-born firms in Ireland employ 450,000 people globally. Enterprise Ireland has had a record year with €38.86 billion in exports for the €3 billion spent in the economy. We are in a strong position in our indigenous economy. I welcome Deputy O'Connor, as Chairperson of the enterprise committee, and the ideas he has brought forward to do more and to support Startups Ireland, which will be critical, as well as the national acceleratory unit we will have next year, again ensuring that all our entrepreneurs, start-ups and high-performance units get the support they need.”
“Stamp duty was linked to construction, and construction is not as beneficial to revenue, because there is no export. We are doing three things to support and underwrite the vulnerability of the State. We have record capital expenditure, of €19 billion this year, which is up 54% in two years. We are paying down our debt, which is critical to keep our balance sheets strong. We have reduced it by 40 basis points since the pandemic. We are investing in our future. We have over €24 billion in two funds that are investing based on the fact that 1 million people in our country will be over the age of 65 by 2030. The capital infrastructure we have to put in will be transformational. If we keep doing those three things, that will make our value proposition very strong to attract investment.”
“I thank Deputy Tóibín for raising this important matter, which the Government takes with the utmost seriousness. I outlined the legal reform we are doing, with penalties and harder laws to ensure that those who perpetrate such heinous crimes face the maximum penalty, and, critically, that those victims and survivors who are left behind are supported. I know we supported the Private Members' Bill in the Seanad in connection with online activity and protecting young people in particular in that regard. We absolutely have much more work to do to protect them. I am to the forefront in calling for that to happen, particularly for a pan-European approach, which would be more structurally sound, to have the maximum impact.”
“I thank Deputy Wall for his very important intervention. I heard part of the interview this morning, which was exceptional and very courageous, showing leadership in an area which affects so many people in our society. I know the Minister for Health is supportive of the Deputy's initiative and remains so. I hope that we can all work together to make society a better place for people who struggle with these life-limiting conditions and give them the opportunity to function as normally as they can, notwithstanding the challenges that they have, and make society a better place for us all. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, is very supportive. I hope the Minister and Deputy Wall will continue to work together. I commend Deputy Wall on his work and leadership in this regard and the exceptional interview that we heard this morning.”
“I thank Deputy Cummins for her important question. As I said earlier, this is an important time to support and work with victims. Obviously a legal process was under way with the competent authority, which was An Coimisiún Pleanála, making its determination. Now we need the space to liaise with victims, and to support survivors, which is very important. It would be a huge disservice to them if I was to make a decision on the hoof on the Dáil floor without having the imprimatur of my Government colleagues. It is not my responsibility to do so but I will absolutely raise the concern the Deputy has brought forward with the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the respective Minister.”
“-----of it equating to five appearances in the District Court plus an additional 8%. We need to have a landing zone for this as a Government. We need to ensure that gardaí and solicitors can do their jobs and that the criminal justice system can function but a Government has to reform and we cannot be held back from doing that.”
“I am very much aware of how important solicitors are to our criminal justice system and our constitutional right to representation, which is the undercurrent of any constitutional democracy. Every Government has to reform, however, and it is key that in working with the Minister for justice and having dialogue with the parties concerned, we get an agreement here. The Government has to be very clear. If we look at the data over the last number of years, there has been a 115% increase in fees in the criminal justice system, yet the number of cases has reduced. We have to tackle the issues with reform in that regard. I am sure the Deputy would support that when he sees data like that. Critically, we have countered the current offer-----”
“One thing I am very clear on as a member of Government is that you cannot tell people they feel safe; they must feel it themselves. They must be very much aware of the resources being put in and see their gardaí as active. The Government is doing everything to increase that pipeline to ensure it is responding at a time when we have the resources to protect local communities like the Deputy's, so I will absolutely carry forward his request.”
“I thank Deputy Murphy for being proactive and bringing forward a solution to try to operationalise a group of the Oireachtas and showing leadership to do that for Tipperary. I will absolutely bring that to the attention of the Minister for justice, particularly considering the cross-party aspect. This is very important and shows leadership. Essentially, the Deputy is trying to deliver for his community. Retail crime has been a big challenge and is an area on which my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, has done a huge amount of work to support retailers, which has been very challenging over the last number of years. Critically, as the Deputy pointed out, the increase in the recruitment model is not enough for Tipperary. We will do everything we can as a Government to support and ensure rural communities are safe.”
“This should help rural communities like the Deputy's. We will absolutely bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Minister for justice and continue to work with the Deputy in fighting for his constituents and standing up for Tipperary.”
“That shows we have a very strong pipeline to get recruits attested through Templemore, which is very important. Obviously, there was a significant lag to get the Government to build that up again and get going in shortening the process. However, getting Templemore operating at maximum capacity with a much shorter process will assist significantly with this. As regards the Clare-Tipperary division, as the Deputy quite rightly pointed out, there has been a challenge. About 660 gardaí are assigned to that division and, obviously, for the record, it is the Commissioner who has operational responsibility for deciding where gardaí serve in particular districts. However, there are significant incentives for gardaí to move, which is facilitated through the new rules and should help people to return close to their areas.”
“If we keep going at this rate of recruits being attested through Templemore, we will be on target to surpass the all-time record number of gardaí, which will be very important. This is a strong demonstration of how that commitment needs to be held in communities right across our country. The overall Garda workforce had increased from 15,980 in 2016 to 18,577 as of 31 May. Critically, the Government has made significant changes to recruitment, including the age limit, the training allowance, the shortening of recruitment timeframes, reform of the physical competency test and the introduction of an assessment of care approach to elements of the recruitment process. Two recruitment drives were launched in 2025. There were over 11,000 applications for the first round and in excess of 4,000 for the second.”
“I thank Deputy Murphy for his very important question, articulating the challenges to his constituency and standing up for his constituents. The resource base the Government has allocated to An Garda Síochána in 2026, particularly through the justice budget, is €2.74 million, which is up 22% since 2020. There has been a significant increase in capital that we have deployed to ensure all corners of our country are supported in the context of justice and law and order, which is very close to all our hearts. The increase in civilian staff within An Garda Síochána has freed up about 900 front-line gardaí. That should act as an accelerant to ensure front-line gardaí are freed up to work and be on the beat on the streets, while civilian staff can fill the gaps in other areas.”
“The critical thing - the Government has experienced this - is getting the money spent, getting it into the bricks and mortar and ensuring that we can get it through the process quickly. One thing we have learned over the past number of years is that we have to get a lot better at delivering public infrastructure. We have set the guide rails to do that. We will spend about €19.1 billion this year, an increase of 54% in two years, which demonstrates the real ambition of the Government.”
“I would see that as a matter of urgency. In tandem, the Department of Health is currently preparing a business case, which has to be done through the infrastructure guidelines. As the Deputy quite rightly points out, the improvements that the facility can make for people with early intervention have been demonstrated. That is critical. I have seen the work the hospital does, particularly for those who have been involved in very traumatic experiences. I will raise the Deputy's concern in relation to outreach in Roscommon with the Minister for Health. I would be confident that this decision will be made quickly. It should not be about funding. We have a very significant war chest of €175 billion over the next decade to deliver public infrastructure.”
“I hope that under the new revised infrastructure guidelines the report will be delivered in a timely manner and critically that we can get on with delivering phase 2 of this much-needed facility.”
“The National Rehabilitation Hospital has been an important a piece in the jigsaw for so many patients who find themselves there as a result of an accident, illness, injury, or physical or cognitive disability. It has been critical in their rehabilitation and in many cases bringing them back to functioning in society again, which is so important. Under the investment plan, the Department of Health has a record capital allocation to deliver a world-class health system, supporting citizens right across the country. We have a lot of work to do and the NRH would be very much to the forefront of my mind. I will make the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, aware of the Deputy's concerns.”
“I understand that phase 2 proposals are estimated to cost more than €200 million. A strategic assessment is currently being prepared in accordance with the Government's infrastructure guidelines. The Deputy will know of decisions taken over the past number of weeks to speed up capital infrastructure. We will deliver €175 billion in infrastructure over the next decade. It is critical that the Government can carry out the assessments that underpin that delivery on a timely basis. The assessment is being prepared under the revised infrastructure guidelines. I am not aware that the Department of Health has received the final assessment to give it the go-ahead as of yet. I am very much aware of this and I will bring the Deputy's comments to the Minister for Health.”
“I thank Deputy Fitzmaurice for a very important and timely question on the National Rehabilitation Hospital. From our constituency clinics and working in our community, we all know how important a piece in the jigsaw of rehabilitation the National Rehabilitation Hospital is. Critically what really stands out is the work that can be carried out for patients with early intervention after accidents, acquired brain injuries or traumatic experiences. We are all very aware phase 1 was opened three years after construction commenced in October 2017. The facility represented a €129 million investment on behalf of the State. Phase 2 will provide 120 new beds and provide additional outreach to Deputy Fitzmaurice's constituency and other constituencies around the country, which will be very welcome and very much supported.”
“I am being very honest about that but we are we are putting more resources into it. I also pointed out the legislative reform we have seen, critically increasing maximum sentences for assault causing harm to ten years and defending the rights of children who are left behind in very horrific circumstances through femicide or where someone kills their spouse or partner. Those areas are key parts of our reforms. We are demonstrating that we take this very seriously. We want to support women and that is why Cuan was established working together with Government and the CSO to get the data to establish what we can best do over the years ahead. We have an implementation group for that strategy. We want to be there as a compassionate Government to stand by women and to stand by victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”
“I would be careful about comparing such a serious issue with other sectors of the economy that are getting money. This is a really serious issue that deserves the utmost attention of Government. I have demonstrated through three strategies and through the increase in resources to €80 million under budget 2026 the acceleration of the number of refuges for women and of safe houses. I acknowledge we do not have enough.”
“These are key reforms we have embarked upon, as well as the Domestic Violence (Judgments) Register Bill 2026, which will set up a domestic violence register of judgments, ensuring that relevant convictions for serious domestic violence offences are made public as part of the conviction process. That demonstrates a Government that really treats this issue with the utmost seriousness. More resources need to go into this sector - I absolutely appreciate that - with more support for victims, but the work we are doing demonstrates the Government's commitment to this sector.”
“We have enacted the Family Courts Bill, establishing a dedicated family court to look at very sensitive items for victims. We have introduced an offence for non-fatal strangulation, reflecting the seriousness of the abuse and the stress and harm it causes. The Guardianship of Infants and Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2026 will allow for the removal of guardianship rights from individuals convicted of killing their intimate partner, ensuring stronger protection for children. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill 2025 will strengthen the legislation around consent and the Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 will restrict the disclosure of counselling records in sexual offence trials and criminalise exploitative practices of sex in lieu of rent.”
“The Minister, Deputy McEntee, took a huge leadership role in this area in the previous Government, which is being carried on by the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, in the current Government. If we look at the actions that have happened, we have our third national zero-tolerance strategy, which now has an implementation group. The implementation group published its report recently. We established Cuan, which is the domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency taking leadership and accountability in this area. We have very significant evidence from the Central Statistics Office, CSO, Sexual Violence Survey 2022 and we are planning for a second one next year. We have delivered a huge number of awareness campaigns as well. More importantly, we might look at the legislative change the Government has embarked upon.”
“Absolutely, I concur with the Deputy on the serious nature of femicide and sexual and gender-based violence. That is why the Government does treat this issue with the utmost seriousness. My sympathies go out to any family who have been affected by this. The pain and trauma of victims who have to live with the scars of the actions of others is unimaginable. First, I will put on the record that there is about €80 million under budget 2026 to support this sector. We have really worked to increase the number of domestic violence units, which is up 30% from 2022, and the number of safe houses, which really needs a huge amount of additional work. I would accept that there are a lot of gaps right across the country that we have to fill.”
“I said that and I was very honest about that. The reporters from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, OCCRP, were also very honest when they stated in their report that there is no direct evidence that alumina is getting into Russian military items. We are working so hard to get the direct evidence to ascertain that, but it is challenging. I would be dishonest if I were to say this was going to be a simple solution. This is going to be very complex and, critically, the European Commission will have to stand up and take the lead on this. I have said that we will back it. We have backed the European Commission on every single sanctions package that has come forward. Contrary to reports, we have not lobbied on behalf of Aughinish Alumina, nor have I ever done so as a Minister.”
“First of all, I was very clear that any amount of alumina getting into the wrong hands is unacceptable. Second, this is an independent report being carried out by my officials. I am not going to go and tell them, when they tell me they are not finished and that they need more time to stress-test the evidence that is in front of them, that they have to finish that report tomorrow. That is interference and I do not want to interfere or prejudice a report on which they are doing their due diligence. They are a competent authority designated under the European Commission and they are experienced to do that work. That work must be completed and then the report will be presented to me. I and the Government have been very clear that our support for Ukraine is unwavering, but we have to get our evidence together.”
“I have also said that the Revenue Commissioners are reassessing their figures because the management of Aughinish Alumina has advised that an error was made in recording the trade flows to the EU versus the trade flows to Russia. As I have pointed out in the House previously, it is my understanding that, in 2025, about 44% of exports went to Russia. I absolutely agree that it is unacceptable for any amount to get into the wrong hands. However, I must also be clear that we have to put the facts on the record. I have to meet an evidential threshold. My Department has to stress-test what is in front of it. I am hopeful that it will come to me with the final results of the investigation within the next ten days.”
“I have heard suggestions in some outlets that the Irish Government was in that company's corner at key European forums. That is not true. The European Commission has brought forward 20 sanctions packages and Ireland has supported them all 100%. It is very important to put that on the record. I expect to have the report within the next ten days. At this point in time, we are working on a number of clarifications with the Ukrainian authorities. I met with the Ukrainian ambassador earlier this week. We have also been engaged with the Swedish authorities in connection with their investigations. We need some clarifications. We have to reach a certain evidential threshold before going to the European Commission. That is very challenging. I have been honest and open about that. It will be challenging to get evidence that meets that threshold.”
“In connection with the report my Department is preparing, there are three competent authorities licensed to carry out these investigations: the Central Bank, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department itself. My Department has operational responsibility for policy in relation to the EU, along with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We are preparing this report on foot of that responsibility. I will put one thing very clearly on record in response to something I have heard repeated on a number of occasions. During the negotiations on the 20 sanctions packages introduced since the war in Ukraine began, our Government has never asked for any sanctions not to be imposed on Aughinish Alumina. We have never asked for any leeway. We have never lobbied on the company's behalf.”
“I thank Deputy Nash for his question on this very important issue. I will say clearly and unambiguously that I share his concerns in relation to ensuring that no product produced in Ireland ends up in the Russian military complex. We are very firm in that belief. Critically, I say that in the context of a Government that has been unwavering in its support for the people of Ukraine. It has provided almost €500 million in aid and supports Ukraine at the coalface when it needs spare parts for its grid or humanitarian aid and support. The Government has fought for Ukraine in every international forum at which we have speaking rights. Critically, Ireland has provided a home for many Ukrainian citizens and provided 14,000 school places for Ukrainian children in the space of a number of months. Irish society really responded to that challenge.”
“We will engage proactively with victims and survivors. I say that genuinely as someone who really understands the trauma that many families have experienced at the hands of the institutions of this State going back decades.”
“This is a time to listen. It is a time to listen to the victims, to understand their trauma, to give them the hand of friendship and to work with them on the future of this site. I do not want to say anything or talk about independent reports or authorities that would exacerbate their trauma. We have to work with victims and survivors. The Government will compassionately engage with survivors in the area. I have not spoken with the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste subsequent to the issuing of the decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála. That work will commence across government. The Government has been very much aware of this issue. It is aware of the processes that were going on. It is obviously very difficult to engage when independent institutions are making a determination as part of a legal process. We now have that opportunity.”
“Notwithstanding that, two independent processes have taken place but I hope the Government will now engage proactively with the victims. As a father of two young children and as a husband, my heart is absolutely with victims and survivors who had backs turned on them at a hard and dark time in our State. Now we are in a different place. We are a more compassionate Government. We are an understanding Government. We are a Government that wants to hold out the hand of friendship to try to rectify the scars of the past.”
“The Government has done a number of things to try to respond to the challenge of the past - the neglect by the State in the past. We set out in our action plan for survivors and former residents of mother and baby home institutions a number of actions. In November 2022, the then Minister for housing wrote to local authorities, including Cork City Council, requesting adequate consideration be brought to bear in development plan processes and consideration be given to very sensitive sites such as this one. That is key here. At a time when people are vulnerable, people are being reminded of, and consistently endure, the scars of the past. That needs to be brought to bear and brought to the forefront. The Government needs to give them a compassionate hand and work with them to try to get agreement about the future of the site.”
“This is a 60-acre site on a wider 200-acre site where the estate was originally. The Deputy raised a number of items and, as a Government Minister, I cannot respond with precision about what the State will do about a CPO, which the Deputy has proposed, and collectively in terms of a monument for the future. What I would say is it should be victim-centred. Those who have been affected by this trauma and the families who carry this grief to this day need to be front and centre in the determination of the future of that site. I believe that, having spoken to many families about their experiences of this difficult trauma in many different parts of the country. It was horrific and they live consistently with the scars of it.”
“I thank Deputy Ó Broin for raising this important matter. I cannot imagine the trauma many families are going through right now as a result of the conclusion of An Coimisiún Pleanála on this file. This was a dark time in our past. Many families were affected by institutions in our State at a time when the State turned a blind eye to vulnerable families - those who needed support at key junctures and crisis points in their lives. The Government can now engage with survivors and people in the vicinity directly affected by this decision. There is a huge body of work in doing that and we have to do it respectfully and with dignity. In terms of the planning authority and the coimisiún, we know these are independent processes and they have to run their course. The coimisiún came forward with its determination, which was announced this morning.”