Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy McDonald that the women are both victims and survivors. They deserve the support of this House in their search for justice. I applaud their courage. Their support is paramount. It is safe to say there is broad agreement on the need to fully investigate the involvement of the State in the dreadful experiences of these women, who were shunned and separated from society. It is horrifying to contemplate the brutality that existed in these places, which lasted for the first 84 years of our State. Given that the last of the Magdalene laundries closed in 1996, we should realise that we are not just talking about a historic legacy. We are dealing with something that is a recent memory and a recent scar, unfortunately, for the many women who endured appalling treatment in these institutions.

I applaud the speech the Minister of State made tonight. For decades, these women were made to stand apart from society. They were removed from their families, their communities and their country. They deserve better. As a State, Ireland should be deeply ashamed of this legacy. As parliamentarians, we should work to ensure it never happens again. As a society and as a State, we have a duty to protect all our citizens, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The women who occupied the Magdalene laundries were not afforded this protection. Instead, they were subjected to physical abuse, emotional abuse and ill treatment. Their experiences have been described as "imprisonment" and as "slavery". When one reads about their experiences and when listens to these women, one understands why these terms appropriately describe what happened.

The Government's decision to establish an interdepartmental group, chaired by Senator McAleese, was a welcome one. This step signalled the beginning of our State taking responsibility for its action and its inaction. I am pleased that a quasi-legal approach was not taken. It is important for the committee's work to conclude and for its report to be compiled quickly. The Minister of State mentioned that the deadline for the publication of the report, which was initially supposed to take place in the middle of this year, was extended after Senator McAleese's group indicated that it needed more time. It behoves us to give more time to the group. We should bear in mind that these women are getting older. There has been huge anguish in their lives and they have been affected profoundly. Nevertheless, it is important for additional time to be made available to the group to ensure it can draw up a comprehensive appraisal of the involvement of the State. If that facilitates the compilation of a report that accurately reflects and acknowledges the involvement of the State, it will be a small and significant step towards due reparation for these women. That is very important.

I am aware of the desire of the Minister of State and the Government to address this issue properly. Following the publication of the report of the United Nations Committee against Torture, prompt action was taken to establish an independent and thorough investigation. Now that delays in the process have become evident, there is a need to consider whether the group requires additional resources. Government action should be taken to ensure there are no further delays. There should be consultation to see if the Government can act to expedite the delivery of this report in the interests of all involved.

There is an unwanted and undesirable symmetry to the issues that are being debated in this House tonight. The Second Stage debate on legislation providing for a referendum on children's rights, which stems from the devastating failures of church and State, was commenced earlier this evening. This motion has been tabled to highlight the failure of the same institutions to deal compassionately with women who had children outside marriage or were otherwise treated wrongly. As I have said, their failure to compassionately protect children has necessitated a referendum on children's rights. Regrettably, the State that we as legislators work to change has failed the women of the Magdalene laundries. Regardless of party politics, we must take collective action to ensure they receive redress. Only when the involvement of the State has been fully catalogued will it be an appropriate time for a comprehensive apology to be made in the full knowledge of the facts. I hope this occurs quickly. These women deserve nothing less from the State.

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