Written answers
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
Magdalene Laundries
8:00 pm
Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 455: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the inter-Departmental committee on the Magdalene Laundries has met; if the committee's terms of reference has been published; the date on which he expect an initial report to be made to Cabinet on the progress being made by this interdepartmental committee; and if he include an examination of the State's interactions with Bethany Home in the work of the Committee. [26962/11]
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the inter-departmental committee is charged with establishing the facts of the State's involvement, clarifying any State interaction with the Magdalene Laundries, and with producing a narrative detailing such interaction. There are presently no plans to extend its brief beyond those institutions.
As the working arrangements of the committee are a matter for its chairperson, Senator Martin McAleese, and he is independent in this matter, I am not in a position to report on what progress is being made. I am aware however that they have held meetings with the religious congregations, representative groups of the women who resided there, and other interested parties. I understand that an interim report will be provided before the end of October.
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