Kathleen Funchion urges three-month delay over TUSLA, sealing records
Kathleen Funchion spoke in the debate opposing the Minister's refusal to accept amendments, urging a delay and raising concerns about TUSLA and the sealing of survivors' records. She argued that survivors distrust TUSLA, oppose records being sealed and asked the Commission for a three-month extension to allow proper legislation.
Democratic process questioned
Funchion criticised the Minister's statement that he would not accept any amendments and said this stance undermines the democratic process. She referenced a five-hour debate where members from across the house spoke with passion and emotion on behalf of survivors.
Survivors' trust and TUSLA
Funchion said the clear message from everyone is that TUSLA is not the appropriate organisation and that survivors do not trust it. She relayed that survivors have had extremely negative experiences and do not want TUSLA involved in the matter.
Opposition to sealing records
She reported that people do not want their records sealed and described concern that the issue has been rushed. Funchion urged that legislation should properly address the sealing of records rather than proceeding without consensus.
Request for a three-month extension
Funchion asked that the Commission be requested to delay implementation by three months while correct legislation is prepared. She argued that a short extension is reasonable and noted the Commission itself had previously sought extensions.
Political and moral warning
Funchion warned that those opposing the changes risk being on the wrong side of history, especially regarding women and children. She said she and her colleagues will vote to support survivors and urged the Minister to reconsider his position on amendments.
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Thanks very much Ciancorla, I actually wasn't planning to speak, right now I was going to wait a little bit later, but I couldn't let it pass when the Minister says that he's not going to accept any amendments, I don't really know what that says for the democratic process that we're supposed to have in here, but it certainly doesn't say very much. Last night and yesterday we had a five-hour debate where people were from all sides of the house, it was the first time I ever witnessed anything like it, where people genuinely spoke from the heart and spoke with passion and emotion and on behalf of survivors, but also everybody has their own different individual experiences with this, whether it's through family or friends, and the one thing that you can definitely do Minister is stop this right now and give it more time. That is within your power, that is within your remit, and that is not an unreasonable request. The very, very clear message coming from everybody is that TUSLA is not the appropriate organisation, whatever people's individual's opinions are on it, that is what survivors are saying, they don't have the trust in the organisation, they've had extremely negative experiences with that organisation, and they don't want that body involved. The other thing is, clearly people do not want their records sealed. And I really think this whole thing, it's been said on a number of occasions, it's been totally rushed. But we're in serious danger. And I know myself and my colleagues here that have been speaking on it, we'll be on the right side of history, because we will certainly be doing our very best, whether we'll convince you or not to accept the amendments, you've made your position clear. I hope that possibly, you'll reconsider that. But we know that we'll vote the correct way. And I really think you're in danger of being on the wrong side of history here on the wrong side of these women, and these children. I don't see why it cannot be asked of the Commission to delay by three months while the correct legislation comes forward to deal with the sealing of the records, to deal with TUSLA and an appropriate organisation. It's not too big of an ask. The Commission themselves asked for a number of extensions. So why is it not appropriate for us to ask one extension so that the right thing can be done? Thanks.
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