This morning it has been reported in the media that the Government is considering issuing a State apology, to be given by the Taoiseach, to the victims of industrial and reformatory schools. The Leader will recall that we had much debate on this matter in this House. He will recall that I proposed a number of amendments and one of them was that this group would receive the enhanced medical card. He will also recall and fully know the response by the Government and the Government Senators which meant my amendment was voted down.

I am not at liberty to discuss the final detail of the agreement and the package that has been entered into. It is also for the Taoiseach to announce and not for me to announce but I am fully aware and happy to know about the agreement. I think we will need to have another opportunity to revisit the issue and discuss how we lost our way in relation to taking political leadership and championing the cause of the people who spent many weeks before Christmas on hunger strike outside our Parliament. Clearly, the hunger strike has been effective and that will be demonstrated in the public apology that the Taoiseach will issue to the Dáil. The Government has agreed a package of additional supports to be provided to the survivors of abuse of institutional schools. They include areas around health, education, housing and, indeed, other issues, which, again, the Taoiseach will set out to the Dáil.

I believe it is important that when we are asked to champion and advocate for people, we need to seriously consider the response. The groupthink that informed the opposing of and objections to the very genuine asks of these people, who were not treated very well by the State, was disappointing. The Taoiseach has indicated that he will give his formal response soon. He has indicated that he is still in ongoing discussions with the Attorney General, Rossa Fanning. I look forward to that but will guard my welcome until I hear the Taoiseach's speech and read the text of the public apology. It is a welcome move and I thank all involved. I thank Bertie Ahern, the former leader of Fianna Fáil and former Taoiseach, for his role in the early stages of working through a potential pathway for a solution. I thank the Government for at least, at this late stage, giving a commitment to make a public apology, which is long overdue.

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome the guests of Deputy William Aird from the Holy Family Senior School in Portlaoise. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. Thanks for coming. I am sure the Deputy has told his guests that we, in the Seanad, do not allow students to be given any homework for the rest of the week after their visit to Seanad Éireann.

Let us see how they get on in the Dáil. Anois, an Seanadóir Tully.