Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am before the House to address this motion on behalf of my colleagues, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, and the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch.

I thank Deputies who contributed to this debate yesterday evening and tonight. I have listened carefully and with great interest to what was said and the broad range of views expressed. In particular, I thank Deputy McDonald for her contribution and for rightly affording all of us an opportunity to ensure this issue remains to the fore in our minds. I have great sympathy for the women involved and it is fair to conclude from the contributions to the debate that the House is in broad agreement on this issue. As the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, stated last night, the story of the Magdalene women is one that has been told with a great deal of dignity and they deserve our respect. No one who has met the women or listened to their stories can be anything but impressed by the eloquence of their testimonies. I agree with much of what has been said in that regard.

I assure the House again that the Government has listened carefully to the women and the various groups advocating on their behalf. It is committed to addressing the issues and, unlike its predecessors, took action to put in place a process for doing so. Almost immediately on taking office, we established such a process when we appointed an interdepartmental committee under the independent chairmanship of Senator Martin McAleese. I assure the House that we will see this process through and are fully committed to addressing these issues once the final report has been received. The Government has been conscious at all times of the need to progress these matters as quickly as possible.

As the Minister of State explained last night, the main point behind the amendment is that it is premature to have this debate without having the benefit of Senator McAleese's report and the factual information it will bring. The report, which is being finalised, will help to establish the facts of State involvement, give us a better understanding of what took place and provide for the proper and meaningful response to which the Government is committed.

Deputies will be aware that Senator McAleese was appointed to the chairmanship of the interdepartmental committee to ensure full confidence in its workings and preclude any legitimate issue arising with regard to the committee properly fulfilling its mandate. They will also be aware and appreciate that Senator McAleese has been steadfast and absolute in his commitment to fulfilling that mandate. Under his astute chairmanship, the committee is receiving the full and voluntary co-operation of everyone involved, including Government Departments, agencies, representative and advocacy groups and academics. I also understand the Senator has met with many women who came forward to the committee both here and in England. These women are being listened to and their stories will be told.

Within three months of its establishment, the interdepartmental committee produced an interim report, as requested, and this report has been published. The question of additional resources for the committee was also raised. I understand, however, that it is satisfied that it has available to it the resources needed to complete its task and that the allocation of further resources is not required and would not speed up its work. I also understand Senator McAleese has indicated to the Minister for Justice and Equality that he expects to be in a position to submit a substantial final report in a matter of months and certainly before the end of the year.

While drafting of the final report has begun, I believe relevant records continue to be identified and the interdepartmental committee continues to receive new submissions from representative and advocacy groups, one of which was received as late as 15 August 2012. Before we rush to make judgments, it makes sense to allow time for the committee to consider all the material that has been placed before it.

As the Minister of State noted last night, all the indications are that the report of the interdepartmental committee will enable us to have a meaningful debate on the issues raised by the different groups representing those who have been in Magdalene laundries and provide a proper response. Both the motion and amendment welcome the establishment of the interdepartmental committee, while the latter commits to an open and meaningful response to all the issues once the committee has reported.

As I stated, the Government is conscious of the need to progress matters as quickly as possible. The only difference between us and the Deputies opposite is that we will not pre-empt the report of the committee by making decisions or assertions of fact. When we have the report, which will be before the end of the year, we will all be better informed and in a position to provide for a proper response based on the findings produced. I commend the Government amendment to the House.

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