North inner city task force
Mary Lou McDonald seeks a timetable and terms of reference for the proposed north inner city task force and raises distress in the community. The Taoiseach says consultations and a full briefing for party and group leaders will happen quickly.
I welcome the fact that the Taoiseach proposes to establish a task force for the north inner city. Can he set out a timeline for the production of terms of reference or an initial draft of the form that might take? As the Taoiseach will understand, people in the north inner city, particularly in and around Cumberland Street and Avondale House, are extremely distressed today. It has come to their attention that media outlets such as The Irish Times, the Irish Independent, The Irish Mirror and others have placed footage of the fatal attack on Gareth Hutch online.
I call on them to take it down and I would like the Taoiseach to join me in that call.
Comment on this
It has created increased stress and distress in the community and it serves absolutely no useful purpose. I ask the Taoiseach to join me in that appeal.
Mr. Victor Stevenson, a man who campaigned long and hard on behalf of the survivors of the Bethany Home and the Westbank orphanage, has died very suddenly and he will be laid to rest tomorrow. Sadly, Victor died without having seen truth or any justice for his personal case and experiences, and there are many more like him. Is the Taoiseach agreeable to meet campaigners from Westbank orphanage and a number of the other institutions that remain outside the remit of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes?
Comment on this
I regret that good man's death. I will ask the Minister to discuss the matter with Deputy McDonald. This was the subject of discussions here and of Dáil questions over a long period, with answers given as to why Bethany Home was not included in the original facility.
In respect of the task force, discussions have started and I am anxious we do this quickly. As I stated earlier, I would like people in the House to have the opportunity to have an input into the terms of reference. We will consult with everybody quickly. Perhaps the Deputy was not here when I said it but I am meeting the Garda Commissioner and assistant commissioners this evening.
Comment on this
There will be a full briefing and I will report to the leaders of parties and groups on that. We will set out quickly the terms of reference for a local task force, how it is to be resourced and what it is supposed to do. We will get Deputies' input in respect of the terms of reference.