Stardust survivors and families  victims of 'systemic abuse' by the State

Representatives from the Stardust Justice Campaign have staged a protest outside Leinster House as delay over legal aid funding continues to stall the inquest. Families say they are 'victims being treated like criminals'. Picture: Aoife Moore

The survivors and families of the Stardust disaster are victims of "systemic abuse" by the State over legal aid funding, the Seanad has heard.

The inquest into the fire disaster has been stalled after it emerged some of the families did not qualify for legal aid, and without a change in regulation by the Justice Minister, these families' legal teams cannot commence work on their behalf.