Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)

The Bill proposes to end the work of the redress board by setting 17 September as the last date for the receipt of claims for redress. I am concerned the date may be too soon and I wonder whether any date should be placed on the receipt of claims in this situation.

The redress board provides a form of compensation for the victims of the terrible abuse that was inflicted on children by religious institutions with the full compliance, and in most cases with the full knowledge, of the State. Many of the victims of the institutions are very traumatised and even the thoughts of making a claim may cause the re-opening of the serious psychological scars they suffered. This means that mentally they may not yet be in a position to make a claim. The process of going before the redress board is traumatic in itself and the Minister must take all of these pressures into account when deciding to close down the work of the board.

There are also concerns that even now there may still be survivors and their families living abroad who have not had the opportunity to make a claim. The Bill provides for the redress board to advertise for at least six weeks in advance of the proposed date of 17 September in at least two newspapers in circulation in England. This will mean the advertisements will appear in the middle of August, which is not the best time of the year to be making announcements of such importance. I appeal to the Minister at least to consider extending the proposed date in order that advertisements will appear when most people have a chance to see them.

I propose to address the refusal of the Minister to include the survivors of the Magdalene laundries and Bethany home in the terms of the redress board. The exclusion of these survivor groups from the provisions of the Bill has heaped further injustice on them. I appeal to the Minister to allow the Bethany home survivors to be included in the review chaired by Senator Martin McAleese to give them an opportunity to have their rights vindicated.

I propose to refer to the statutory trust fund proposed by the Minister to provide for the distribution of €100 million to be paid by the religious institutions. Differing views have been expressed by survivors groups on whether this is the proper way to disburse this money. Many groups and individuals believe this money should be given to the victims who have received compensation from the redress board. Not surprisingly the religious institutions and Government are happy with the proposal that the statutory fund use the money to provide services which should be provided separately by the State. Implementing this proposal will be an abdication of the State's responsibility to provide for the health and educational needs of the victims of abuse.

I call on the Minister to leave open the closing date for applications and allow the survivors of the Magdalene laundries and Bethany home the right to apply to the redress board on the conclusion of Senator McAleese's review. Failing that, I ask that the deadline be extended and a series of advertisements placed in the newspapers and on radio and television here and in Britain to ensure as many survivors as possible have a chance to have their case heard.

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