Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Adams for his remarks on this matter. One of the really strong points coming from the groups of Magdalen women was that they wanted the State to apologise but they also wanted a system which was effective, clear, fair and non-adversarial and non-legalistic. The terms of reference presented by the Minister for Justice and Equality to Cabinet, and adopted by it, for Mr. Justice Quirke are to work out a scheme and a strategy that will give recognition to those principles. That is why the judge has been asked to report back within three months and to put in place a set of recommendations for Government to consider in regard to the fund, how it should be dispensed and taking into account those principles of not being adversarial and not being a gravy train for those who might assume so from a legalistic or an administrative point of view. That was the very strong wish expressed by the women who were in the Magdalen laundries and what we want to try to achieve.

The president of the Law Reform Commission, Mr. Justice Quirke, is an exceptional choice to do this and I am quite prepared to let him start his work with his team to address those principles so that we can deal with this as comprehensively, as sensitively and as compassionately as possible, taking into account the fact some women have never told their story and some want complete anonymity. We do not want this bandied about in a way that would have a further devastating impact on them.

We have taken step one and the process is now in train for persons to contact the Department of Justice and Equality. On the instructions of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Mr. Justice Quirke will start his work in devising a set of recommendations for Government to deal with and, as I said, taking those principles into account. As this work proceeds, we will take the advice, as the case may be, of Members of the House, who were very supportive yesterday.

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