Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

The Tánaiste committed to publishing the residential institutions statutory fund Bill during this Dáil session. This will be a difficult and controversial item of legislation, particularly for survivors of institutional abuse who still await State recognition and redress. The interdepartmental committee on the Magdalene laundries has not reported back to the Dáil and I am disappointed that the Minister refuses to acknowledge State responsibility for the survivors of Bethany Home. When will the statutory fund legislation be published? When will the Magdalene laundries committee report to the Dáil? Will the Tánaiste give a commitment to revisit the very bad decision to exclude Bethany Home survivors from any redress scheme?

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