Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I regret we are well outside the limit we had set ourselves to have these matters discussed. The problem is that a number of Departments have still not come back with requirements to allow us to bring it to the Dáil and discuss it. I will see to it that the senior officials dealing with the remaining elements respond quickly.

In respect of Ballymurphy, I prepared the motion for all party acceptance and then I received a number of pieces of correspondence from others in Northern Ireland about other issues which arose there which they wanted included. We are working on this to see if we can have a comprehensive motion, which will be discussed with Deputies Martin and Adams shortly. I hope we can do so before the House breaks up for the summer.

Symphysiotomy is another example of a legacy issue whereby this barbaric treatment was imposed on women. Even the Supreme Court stated this on-the-way-out treatment after a section when a child was born was completely unnecessary. Many of these women suffered stress and distress and it caused incontinence, back pain and chronic fatigue and so much psychological damage. Two reports were done: Professor Oonagh Walsh's report on symphysiotomy in Ireland from 1944 to 1984 and Judge Murphy's independent review of issues relating to symphysiotomy. The Minister wanted to get this right. The two reports came before the Government today and they have been approved for publication. Today, the Government approved an ex gratiascheme at a cost of approximately €34 million which will bring closure for women who underwent surgical symphysiotomy. This will be administered by the State Claims Agency. Many of these women are now elderly and have been waiting for decades for closure. It is another element of what we have had to deal with, from Magdalens to mother and baby homes to all of these issues which have been lying around for years and not dealt with. It was absolutely barbaric treatment and I am glad that today it came before the Government, which approved publication of the reports. I understand the Minister has been speaking on this at a public conference. We welcome Professor Walsh's report and the report of Judge Murphy and this morning approved a sum of approximately €34 million to deal with ex gratiapayments for these women who went through this horrible experience.

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