Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

The women who are the Survivors of Symphysiotomy do not agree with the element of the Government's scheme which compels them to enter into a similar type of ex gratiaarrangement. It could also be argued by the women who signed up to the Magdalen redress scheme that they are not getting what they expected. If they go to the courts, however, the judgment may go against them. By signing this waiver, they may get less than they thought they would. When the rich and powerful go to court to sue the State, no boundaries are imposed on them, but the same does not apply when the poor, the exploited and victims seek redress. Nobody wants to see the State pay the entire bill, but the women concerned should not lose out because of penny pinching. The church should have been asked to cough up because none of the orders has given enough. People should not be forced to sign waivers before they join schemes, only to find that they are not getting what they expected after signing away their rights. I do not regard this as proper redress or restorative justice for victims of the Magdalen laundries.

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