First, I wish to put on the record of the House that I agree a general election should be called now. The main question I wish to put to the Taoiseach, though, is on behalf of a group of men who as children were sexually abused in day schools by Christian Brothers. All the perpetrators were subsequently convicted. Sexual abuse is all about power and control. In the Taoiseach's 2019 apology to children abused in day schools, he referred to the State having failed them at the time and failed then again when it did not own up to its responsibility. He then said, "We will not fail them a third time". In May 2023, the CEO of Louth County Council, against the wishes of the then chair of the council, withdrew a motion rescinding the freedom of Drogheda from Edmund Garvey. The actions by the CEO were a devastating blow to the survivors. A State body had let them down, with no accountability regarding the actions of the CEO forthcoming from the council or the relevant Minister of State. As far as these survivors were concerned, this was just another example of power and control being misused against them.

I thank the Deputy.

I pose this question from the victims. In the Taoiseach's view, is the State apology and the promise he made in July 2019 now diminished?

I do not believe so. The State's apology was sincere and we followed up on it through various actions. I have received some correspondence on the matter the Deputy has raised, from Councillor O'Farrell and some others. My advice, however, is that this is not something central government can intervene in and that it is a matter for the local authority.

Regarding the local authority-----

I thank the Deputy very much.

Will the Taoiseach meet with the group?