Three weeks ago on 10 November a 51-day hunger strike ended. The Taoiseach wrote directly to four hunger strikers, survivors of industrial and reformatory schools. The letter promised mediation, delivery, recognition and urgency and asked them to end their hunger strike on the basis that solutions were being progressed. They took him at his word. They trusted the Head of Government, and after 51 days without food, with their health deteriorating, they ended their hunger strike in good faith. Yet, 21 days later, nothing meaningful has happened. I will quote from an email I received from them today:

Our resumption of our hunger strike will begin again in the coming days. False promises yet again. Two of us have still not eaten properly since 10 November so weight continues to fall off us. We feel now the meeting was applied to get us off the hunger strike. We are weak and suffering but determined to resume it to the bitter end.

This email really alarmed me. I spoke to two of the hunger strikers today. They have now been told that they will not get a meeting about this until January because the Ministers' diaries are full. They are elderly survivors who nearly died on the doorsteps of Leinster House after 51 days without food and their health has deteriorated. They had five asks and they trusted that when they received the Taoiseach's letter, those asks would be put in process straight away. They are now being fobbed off. After every email they send to request a meeting with the relevant Minister and the Minister for education they are told they will have to wait until January. We need to treat this with urgency. I want this House to ask An Taoiseach for a response and to contact the hunger strikers. They have gone through so much. We cannot let this hunger strike resume. It is not acceptable. We trust that when a mediation process has taken place and promises are made, there must be a follow-up system and proper and clear communication with the individuals so that everyone is protected.