Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Any discussion on the Magdalen laundries, either inside or outside the House, conjures up images of a dark period in the history of our country. Such images are of women who were slaves in the institutions in question - which were run by religious orders - and who were treated in a terrible fashion. These women were either not paid or paid very little for what they did. One of the difficulties I have with the McAleese report is the exclusion of any reference to the money the churches made from the operation of these institutions. The churches made lots of money from them but the report fails to mention that fact.

That is history at this stage. We will not be able to turn that around but it does not stop legislators asking what the church has done, apart from apologising, to ensure the welfare of these slaves given how they were treated.

When the McAleese report was presented, there was commentary to the effect that the legacy of the problem dates from when we were occupied by our neighbours. This is true but the record shows that when we took over the establishment from the British, both the churches and politicians buried their heads in respect of the treatment the women were receiving. This Dáil, the 31st, is the first Parliament in our history to have addressed this issue. I am not suggesting that, as a consequence, we should be very proud and slap ourselves on the backs but we have at least reached a stage where the women who are still alive - many have passed on - will be treated courteously and where their suffering will be acknowledged. A question arises as to how to make the rest of their lives as palatable as possible. That is what we are trying to do in this legislation. What occurred is part of the hidden history of Ireland. All these matters should be brought out into the open. What happened is a shameful part of our past but we should not ignore it.

Deputy Keaveney made reference to the politics of the matter. I can say with some pride that he and I fought an election campaign for the only political party that referred in its manifesto to the Magdalen laundries. Subsequently, Deputy Keaveney deserted my party and went elsewhere. There are aspects of manifestoes of which I may not be terribly proud but I am proud that my party's one is the only one that referred to the Magdalen laundries. Both Deputy Keaveney and I appreciate that, and quite rightly so.

Other Members, including Deputy Keaveney, mentioned the HAA card. If we are to resolve this matter fully to the satisfaction of the remaining women who were victims of terrible treatment in the institutions, as we should, we should make its entitlements available. Irrespective of how the women were treated in the past, Members should end this matter once and for all by treating the women properly at the end of their lives. We should not repeat what happened.

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