Stardust survivors’ redress scheme
Gary Gannon said survivors were retraumatised by a flat redress payment made without promised engagement; the Taoiseach outlined the Government’s phased scheme and said he would revert to him.
The opposite of restorative justice is the retraumatising of victims and yesterday survivors of the Stardust tragedy expressed feelings of shock and retraumatisation following the Government's announcement. Survivors were told clearly that this would not be a one-size-fits-all scheme. The Taoiseach confirmed in a memo to the Government that exceptionality would be recognised. The Minister stood up in the Dáil and repeated that commitment. What was announced yesterday was a flat payment, finalised without the promised engagement and without a structure to address individual injury or trauma. People who suffered burns and lifelong physical damage and deep psychological harm are being treated identically. They feel dehumanised all over again. That €20,000 amounts to less than €400 for each year of the campaign.
Comment on this
Will the Taoiseach's Department meet survivors and their legal representatives?
Comment on this
The Stardust fire was a national tragedy that has left an enduring legacy of pain for the country, particularly the people of north Dublin and the families of the 48 young people who were tragically killed. They suffered a terrible loss, and there has been a lasting impact on the survivors who were injured in the fire. Following the State apology and engagement with the legal representatives of the families, the Government approved a two-phased approach to redress arrangements. Phase 1 involved the establishment of a €24 million ex gratia redress scheme for the families of the 48 victims of the fire. That was developed in consultation and agreement with the families' legal representatives and provided for a single, non-scaled ex gratia payment of €500,000 to be made to the families concerned in respect of each of the 48 victims. Phase 2 concerns survivors injured in the fire.