Taoiseach says he is hopeful of speedy decision on redress for Magdalenes

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he hopes for a quick Cabinet decision after it discusses the report on redress for the survivors of the Magdalene laundries within the next two weeks.

He said that the report, from retired judge Mr Justice Quirke, had been sent to Minister for Justice Alan Shatter and his views and the report's recommendations would be considered by the Cabinet before it makes a decision.

“It is only fair to say that after so many years of nothing having been done about this, the Government put in place a structure and process by which a conclusion could be brought to the issue of the Magdalene survivors and the sensitivity, hurt and trauma associated with it.”

Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said weekend media reports that the report had recommended the women meet their former abusers had caused great upset to the survivors.

She claimed the delay in publishing the report had confused and upset the women.

Ms McDonald said the Magdalene survivors had heard the Taoiseach’s eloquent apology in the Dáil, when he spoke of how he understood that many of them were older and some in poor health.

“The Government has had the report for a month and the Taoiseach says it might consider it in two weeks’ time and has not given a definitive date for its publication,’’ she added.

“That is not good enough and does not tally with the Taoiseach’s apology and the sentiment of this Dáil across all parties, when the survivors were here in February.’’

Grievously hurt
Ms McDonald said the Taoiseach should stop playing games with victims and people who had been so grievously hurt.

Mr Kenny said it was outrageous to say the Government was playing games with the Magdalene survivors.

“Long before Deputy McDonald and I were born, this situation arose and no government in the history of the State did anything about it,” he said.

He said everybody in the House had accepted that Mr Justice Quirke’s appointment was the way to go. “Having waited 60, 70 or more years, it is only right and proper that this matter deserves real consideration by the Minister for Justice.”

Mr Kenny said the terms of reference for Mr Justice Quirke had been set out in a way that gave recognition to the medical and health circumstances of many of the women, recognising their infirmity and age in some cases, and that time was not on their side or on anyone’s side.

“It is right and proper that we should give this serious consideration,” he added. “A financial element is included.”

Mr Kenny said there would be no delay on the Government’s part once the process was decided upon.