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

I congratulate my colleague, Deputy Ó Caoláin, on introducing the Bill and on all the hard work he has done in respect of this issue. I take this opportunity to mention Arthur Morgan, our party's representative for Louth in the previous Dáil, who, in conjunction with Deputy Ó Caoláin, also worked extremely hard on this issue. I welcome to the House the women from the Survivors of Symphysiotomy group. These women have shown incredible bravery and strength throughout their ordeal. I have the utmost respect and admiration for them. I pay tribute to Marie O'Connor who has worked with them and brought her considerable expertise to bear on their campaign.

Symphysiotomy is a cruel and dangerous childbirth operation that unhinges the pelvis, severing the symphysis joint or, in the case of pubiotomy, sundering the pubic bones. Ireland was the only country in the developed world to practise this discarded surgery in the mid to late 20th century. At least 1,500 of these 18th century operations were performed here from 1942 to 2005, mostly in Catholic hospitals. Approximately 200 women who underwent this procedure survive today, many of them permanently disabled, incontinent and in pain. Some lost their babies during the procedure. These operations were performed in preference to caesarean section, the standard treatment for difficult births. The women involved were subjected to a barbaric and cruel practice of which the State should be ashamed. Not only should the State be ashamed of how they were treated, it should also be ashamed of the length of time it has taken for them to find truth and justice. The latter, it is hoped, will be forthcoming in the very near future. The women to whom I refer were subjected to brutality many years ago and they are still being subjected to a form of it now because they are prevented from seeking redress.

A wide range of Deputies will contribute to the debate on the Bill. However, that is not enough. It is not sufficient to stand up in the Chamber and simply empathise with these women. We are legislators and we must legislate in the best interests of all the citizens of this State, including the women who have come here tonight hoping for some acknowledgement in respect of the hideous procedure to which they were subjected. That is what we are here to do and it is our duty. As justice spokesperson for Sinn Féin, I want to see justice done. After all these years and all the trauma inflicted upon them, these women must be able to seek the redress they so rightly deserve.

That which has been introduced by Deputy Ó Caoláin is a legal necessity. The bar created by the Statute of Limitations sets a two-year time limit on initiating actions in personal cases and it has blocked the efforts of many of the women affected by symphysiotomy. As most Members are aware, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality recommended the lifting of the statute bar in June of 2012. These women will finally be able to take legal action, if they so desire, if that bar is removed.

Since taking my seat in this Chamber, we have engaged in numerous debates in respect of women and the way they have been treated by the State. We owe it to the women of Ireland to allow the Bill before the House to pass Second Stage tomorrow night. We must face up to our shameful record on the relationship of women with this State and begin attempting to right the wrongs to which I refer. Many of the women who were subjected to the cruel procedure of symphysiotomy have sadly passed away. The State let them down. Let us not visit a similar fate on one more survivor. This House must legislate for these women and it must do so now.

Every Deputy was deeply moved when the Taoiseach finally apologised on behalf of the State for the Magdalen laundries. We met the women afterwards. It meant a great deal to them. We must still bring the issue of redress home, as we must the issue of Bethany Home. Our people must face a number of great shames. The heroic, inspirational and wonderful women gathered above the Chamber tonight must be given the same apology by the Taoiseach on behalf of the State as well as the redress to which they are entitled. The Bill must also be passed. All of this is what they deserve, no more and no less.

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