152. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current stage reached in the assessment of phase 2 of the Stardust redress scheme relating to survivors of the fire; the remaining steps required to complete that assessment; the indicative timeline for bringing proposals to the Government for consideration; the nature of the redress proposals under development, including the reference points being used; the expected timeline for the commencement of payments following Government approval; the engagement undertaken to date with survivors and their representatives, including a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6209/26]

Sentiment score: 0.27

Anocht, ba mhaith liom ceist a chur ar an Aire on phase 2 of the Stardust redress scheme for survivors. This is an ongoing saga between the Department of justice and survivors who have waited more than 40 years for justice. Will the Minister please outline the current stage of the phase 2 assessment, the remaining steps, when the proposal will go to Cabinet and what form of redress the survivors can expect? When will the payments begin?

Sentiment score: 0.27

I welcome phase 1 and the work done by the previous Government. It is now on to this Government and the Minister’s Department. The core issue is that the commitment made to survivors has not been honoured, in their opinion. I know from speaking to some of the survivors in my constituency that people were told that phase 2 was progressing and that proposals were imminent. However, the engagement has not been continuing with the solicitors involved. Can the Minister explain exactly what is delaying the process? Is it legal advice or costings, is it internal departmental approvals, or is it a decision we need to push for? Why is the Department not communicating with the solicitors? The lack of engagement is deeply concerning. I visited some of the houses, including Antoinette Keegan’s house. She welcomed me in. I know that losing her family members still haunts her today. It is something she has fought for her whole life. Will the Minister give a commitment that there will be engagement with the survivors’ legal team?

Sentiment score: 0.10

I welcome that. I understand phase 2 is not just about redress; it is practical and financial and long overdue. I appreciate that the Minister cannot give a specific timeline but I welcome that he will bring forward proposals on this. The survivors and their families were looking for a timeframe for when the payments will commence and what will be developed. I again thank Antoinette Keegan for working with me and my office and for speaking to me in her home. I saw at first hand how it still haunts her to this day. She told me the story of being beside her two sisters when they were killed. All she wants is truth and justice. As the Minister mentioned, we are approaching the 45th anniversary. The memory has never gone away for the survivors.

Sentiment score: 0.18

I reiterate what Deputy McAuliffe from my neighbouring constituency has said. It is not just in one constituency but across Dublin. On my way in to Leinster House one day, I saw a scrambler with two young lads without helmets. When I was pulling into Leinster House, they were going in the opposite direction on the road. I offer my sympathy to Grace Lynch's mother, Siobhán, who spoke powerfully last night calling for scramblers and e-scooters to be banned. They are a scourge on our communities. Has there been any examination into the fear among gardaí chasing e-scooters and scramblers of GSOC taking them off the beat? Is that something that is being examined?

Sentiment score: -0.02