Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Given the events that took place in the Chamber yesterday, today might be a good day to highlight promises in previous State apologies that are as yet unfulfilled. I refer in particular to the apology to survivors of Magdalen laundries in 2013 and the recommendations from Mr. Justice Quirke's commission that have yet to be implemented. Previously, I raised recommendation 6 relating to memorialisation, but today I wish to highlight recommendation 1, which relates to full medical cards under the Health (Amendment) Act 1996 - HAA cards - that have yet to be delivered to the survivors of Magdalen laundries. I and many other activists, who have worked on this for longer than I have, suggest that the HAA medical card should be given to all survivors of Ireland's institutional past. What is the Tánaiste's opinion on that? Elizabeth Coppin has taken a case to the UN Committee Against Torture, such is the gravity of the situation. I will be interested to hear the Tánaiste's thoughts.

See this speech in context