Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

It is important to acknowledge the very good work that has been and continues to be done by churches and faith communities. The mark of a real republic, when we get one, will be to have eradicated sectarianism and to have tolerance and full civil and religious rights.

In the course of those discussions, some legacy issues still need to be resolved. In discussions with the Catholic Church, has the Taoiseach raised or will he raise the issue of the victims of the Magdalene laundries? Does he acknowledge that the State and the Catholic Church - certainly, the hierarchy - owe a public apology to those women, and that a redress scheme should be established? Will the Taoiseach raise with the Church of Ireland the issue of Bethany House, Rathgar, and also acknowledge the joint responsibility of the Church of Ireland and the State? Will the Taoiseach tell the House whether there are plans to revisit the existing redress scheme for survivors of abuse while in State institutions or other institutions run by the religious orders?

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