Dáil debates

Thursday, 15 March 2012

1:00 pm

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I thank the Deputies who raised the issue in the first instance and I thank those who spoke. All of those who spoke have conveyed not only a great degree of sympathy but also the degree of urgency with which this issue must be addressed. I commend the brave women who have spoken out. I have no wish to dismiss men's experience, which is considerable, but as a woman it is very difficult to speak about something as personal and as debilitating as this procedure. It is not simply about aspects of orthopaedics and so on. In some cases this procedure led to incontinence and this remains an issue. This is something women find remarkably difficult deal with in a social context, as anyone would.

I have taken a particular interest in this area but I admit and I confess that I did not attend the recent briefing, because this is one area which I believe could take a night's sleep from me. The barbarism inflicted and its consequences are unforgivable. I met several Deputies who came from the briefing last night and who were rather traumatised. Some Deputies had only heard about this issue for the first time. They included male and female Deputies. We cannot continue to pretend this did not happen.

I was interested in Deputy Catherine Murphy's contribution. She referred to the inquiry into the Magdalen laundries. We have been left with historical and legacy issues which should have been dealt with several years ago but which were not. We are now coming to grips with these. I have discussed this issue at great length with the Minister and he believes, as do other members of the Government, that these issues cannot simply be left in abeyance. It cannot be a case of deny-until-they-die Government. We trust that this type of governance and Government is a thing of the past and we will deal with this. We sought for a report and a review which, we all agree, must take place quickly. We cannot have the type of delays which occurred the past. This must be done quickly. When the report is before us we will take a clear view of it, in consultation with not only the groups representing the women but with the women themselves, to determine the way forward.

I will not read the official speech which provides a list of what is in place and what services are being provided. We are all aware of the position. Anyone who does not receive the services available should be proactive and determined about accessing them because the Government has provided for them. There is no excuse. No woman who has undergone this procedure should have need of the service but they need to be proactive in any case. We must come to terms with our past. I will not advert to what Deputy Calleary has already hinted at in terms of particular areas of the country and the procedures carried out there. However, we must come to terms with the past. I do not believe it was entirely an matter of ethos. Certain practices were in place and there was a lack of control and administration. A combination of forces came together to allow these things to happen. I hope the code of conduct to be introduced for consultants and medical practitioners in general will ensure that we have safeguards in place against such a thing occurring again.

I am loth to use the term "these women" because basically these women were mothers at the time. They were women who went into what should have been a joyful occasion and came out to the sort of life we would expect. Some were unable to care for their families and had to get certain supports. In some instances these women were not understood and they were unable to explain why they were having particular difficulties. I can only imagine what that was like.

Some women suffer from depression after childbirth. They have a great difficulty in explaining to people why they are not as joyful as others who have had babies. I can only imagine what it must be like for these women to describe and explain something that was far more complicated and far less widespread. We should keep this at the forefront of our mind as well. We must be mindful of the lack of joy that came with having a new baby and the great difficulty not only in looking after that baby but in carrying out the other duties normally expected of them as well. We must also keep in mind the sadness this must have brought about.

We must deal with this. We must recognise our past and we must accept that what took place in the past must be dealt with now. However, this must be about the future and about protecting women who find themselves in this vulnerable position as well. We must ensure that this never happens again with the new code of conduct. We must also ensure that when the report comes before us we act as quickly as we can to determine the future not only for these women but for others who may find themselves in this position. We must ensure we act quickly. The days of putting it off are behind us.

We are in a very difficult position financially but this should not stop us doing what is right and just. A good deal has been put in place but we must do more. I congratulate these women for having the courage to stand up and set out in detail what happened to them.

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