Dáil debates

Wednesday, 25 September 2013

Other Questions

Magdalen Laundries Report

2:40 pm

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government dealt with this matter in as speedy a way as possible. The committee, under the chairmanship of the former Senator, Dr. McAleese, was established in July 2011. It carried out substantial work and published a detailed report. Within a short period of the committee publishing the report it was debated in the House. Mr. Justice Quirke was appointed to look at the making of an ex gratia compensation scheme and of making other provisions for the women who were in the laundries. On 25 June 2013 the Government approved the implementation of Mr. Justice Quirke's proposals in respect of the cash lump sum. There were other recommendations, including that mentioned with regard to medical cards, which had to be furnished to the group, from whom I expect to receive the report at the end of this week with regard to detailing the steps needed to be taken to implement those provisions. For example, it is inevitable that the medical card provision will require legislation, which we will then introduce as rapidly as possible. Certain legal steps must be taken to copper-fasten what we do in this context.

I share Deputy O'Sullivan's outrage that this issue was not addressed many years ago. I was one of the Members who had expressed the view that should have been addressed long before I became a Minister. We are dealing with this with the greatest possible speed. We have received over 500 applications and we must process them carefully. We must ensure that when we receive the report decisions are made in respect of individuals that are appropriate. It is likely that cash sums will be paid out in accordance with the scheme in advance of some of the other aspects of matters being formally in place. However, we should then be in a position at the least to advise people what other benefits will accrue to them.

It is also particularly complicated in respect of addressing certain issues not fully teased out by Mr. Justice Quirke where there are individuals affected by this who do not live in this jurisdiction. These people live in the United Kingdom or outside the United Kingdom. We are looking at how best to implement the recommendations in a manner that does not detrimentally impact on their financial circumstances in the country in which they are resident by depriving them of benefits to which they would otherwise be entitled. That is a particular difficulty.

In fairness to Deputies Daly and Wallace, I regard it as a particular disappointment that the religious congregations have not agreed to contribute to this fund. The Minister of State, Deputy Lynch and I made very clear our views and the view of the Government in this regard. There is no legal mechanism to compel them to make such a contribution. This is why I said in my correspondence to them and in reply to today's question that it was the view of the Government and myself that they have a moral obligation to do so. I am conscious that the congregations currently care for over 100 women who were in the laundries.

I am also conscious of and appreciate the full assistance and co-operation the Department is getting from them in checking records and authenticating and verifying lengths of time that individuals spent in laundries.

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