Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I raised with the Taoiseach yesterday the outstanding commitments made by the Government to the surviving women of the Magdalen laundries. As the Taoiseach knows, a full year has passed since the Taoiseach apologised on behalf of the State to the women, yet, since the apology only one sixth of those eligible for payment under the redress scheme have received any. Pensions, health care and other provisions recommended by the Quirke report and signed off on by the Government have yet to be delivered on. In case the Taoiseach does not already know, I contend he needs to know the failure to deliver on these commitments is causing further hurt and distress among the women. When will the restorative justice Bill be introduced? I ask the Taoiseach not to tell me that it is on the A list because that kind of response offers no clarity or comfort to the women concerned. I ask him to be more precise on the date. Could he confirm that the legislation will be comprehensive and provide for pensions and medical services, and that these services will be provided to women living outside the State in addition to those living within the jurisdiction? Will the legislation result in the implementation of all the remaining recommendations in the Quirke report?

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