Taoiseach makes historic apology to Magdalenes
Magdalene women on their way into the Dail to sit in the public gallery for the debate on the McAleese Magdalene report and an apology from Enda Kenny on behalf of the State. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has apologised to the women who spent time in the Magdalene laundries.
In an emotional speech, which was greeted by loud applause, Mr Kenny said: "This is a national shame for which I say again I am deeply sorry and offer my full and heartfelt apologies."
Opening the Dáil debate tonight on the McAleese report, Mr Kenny said the Magdalene laundries were reserved for what was offensively and judgementally called fallen women.
The women, he added, were wholly blameless.
He added: "I, as Taoiseach, on behalf of this State, the Government and our citizens, deeply regret and apologise unreservedly to all those women for the hurt that was done to them, for any stigma they suffered as a result of the time they spent in the Magdalene laundry."
Mr Kenny said the women deserved more than a formal apology.
He said the Government had asked the president of the Law Reform Commission, Judge John Quirke, to undertake a three-month review and make recommendations about the criteria that should be applied in assessing the help the Government could provide in the area of payments and other supports, including medical cards, psychological and counselling services and other welfare needs.
The terms of reference for Judge Quirke were published this evening following Mr Kenny's speech.
When Judge Quirke has reported, a fund will be established to assist the women based on his recommendations.
"I am confident that this process will enable us to provide speedy, fair and meaningful help to the women in a compassionate and non-adversarial way," Mr Kenny said.
"The reality is..... that for 90 years ..... Ireland subjected these women and their experience..... to a profound and studied indifference," Mr Kenny said.
"We now know that the State itself was directly involved in over a quarter of all admissions to the Magdalene Laundries."
Mr Kenny said he hoped the publication of the McAleese Report and the Government's apology would make a contribution to the healing process.
For decades thousands of women and girls, often unmarried mothers and women who left their husbands, were placed into work-houses.
Concluding his apology, Mr Kenny said: "Let me hope that this day and this debate heralds a new dawn for all those who feared that the dark midnight might never end."
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said he wanted to join the Taoiseach "in offering, on behalf of the State and the Irish people, a heartfelt apology to the survivors of the Magdalene Laundries."
