Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I join the Ceann Comhairle in welcoming our colleague from London, Mr. Liam Conlon, MP, for Beckenham and Penge, to the Distinguished Visitors’ Gallery. He is here with Donal Sheehan from his office. I commend Liam for his work on bringing forward Philomena’s law in Westminster, legislation that will secure additional justice for survivors of mother and baby homes, many thousands of whom live in Britain despite having been in homes here in Ireland. However, we need to do more here for survivors of mother and baby homes. On Tuesday, I asked the Taoiseach about how the Government will respond to the report from Sheila Nunan on her negotiations with the religious orders responsible for running the homes. It is very disappointing to see that only one order has come up with a substantial offer to contribute to the redress scheme.

The Labour Party has a Bill which would give the State the power to compel religious orders to pay their fair share. It would provide a legal remedy for the current situation. I asked the Taoiseach his view on that. He said the Attorney General is examining options and the Minister, Deputy Foley, will go back to the orders. I ask the Minister to do all she can to ensure the orders will indeed pay their fair share of redress and we will see justice for survivors.

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