Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When the Taoiseach met the relevant church leaders, did he discuss the issue of the Magdalen laundries and the need for a contribution from the relevant religious orders? They have issued apologies but will there be any financial contribution? At some point there must be full redress for the women involved.

I attended a deeply moving presentation given by the children of some of the women who had been in Bethany homes, children who were sent off to a different life from what they should have had. The briefing was attended by Members from all parties and everyone was deeply moved. There must be a resolution for the residents of these homes. They were excluded from the residential institutions redress scheme and the remit of the McAleese commission. We must revisit that urgently. I commend the Taoiseach for his comments when he finally made an apology, it was appropriate and befitting the scale of the shame of our people for what these women had to endure. We also have to have that moment for those who endured life in the Bethany homes.

What contacts has the Taoiseach had with the Vatican since the recent election of Pope Francis? Has the Taoiseach considered reopening the Vatican embassy and re-establishing links between the two states to repair the damage that may have been done by closing the embassy?

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