Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, as well as by a former constituency colleague of mine, Michael Kennedy. While Michael will know I do not often pay him credit, they brought up this issue. I will outline what I consider to be important on foot of the publication of former Senator McAleese's report, which was an excellent piece of work. He was a good colleague to all Members here and the work he has done will stand the test of time as something that was done efficiently with the co-operation of all sides. Dr. McAleese has a way about him that gains trust from all people around. I acknowledged there were sensitivities, particularly in respect of some of the religious orders. Frankly, however, the idea the religious orders and the State are not liable financially is just nonsense. They will be obliged to step up to the plate and the redress scheme must be implemented in such a way that it does not lead to what Senator Bacik referred to earlier, namely, a replay of the former redress scheme. Everyone recognises that scheme was set up with nothing but good intentions but the legal profession made a sizeable amount of money from it. In addition, I am certain we should not repeat the manner in which victims were questioned about their experiences. Moreover, I believe the families, sons and daughters of the 1,000 or so ladies who are alive and the 9,000 or perhaps more who now are deceased certainly have a role in this process. Their lives were affected in many case because of the negative impact staying in these homes had on many of the ladies.

I acknowledge the Minister of State will remain close to this process and welcome the appointment of Mr. Justice Quirke with regard to the redress scheme. She may be unable to do so today but as this debate will adjourn and continue on another day, I ask the Minister of State to consider independent monitoring of the process. I used the example of the redress scheme of 2002 with regard to the industrial schools, which was established with the best of intentions. It did not really work as it should have done and Members should be sufficiently open to provide that if, God forbid, it appeared as though the scheme was not working as one would wish, a mechanism was in place for the Minister of State, the Minister, Deputy Shatter, or whoever to get involved. Obviously, one wants this process to be efficient and to not drag on forever. The Minister of State already has made this point of which I also am mindful. I refer to a specific request from the Justice for Magdalenes organisation, which I am sure it also asked of the Minister of State.

It is that we need to do work to ensure that when payments are made to ladies who are on existing State benefits they will not in any way negatively impact on their current or future benefits. For example, if cash payments are made to them that such payments will not be factored into calculations for means-tested benefits in the future should they seek medical cards, State pensions or other State benefits. It is important to do that. If they have not already done so, the Department of Finance and the Department of Justice and Equality will need to make inquiries with the Inland Revenue and the relevant department in the United Kingdom for the ladies in Britain who will receive payments from the State and the religious communities involved. We must ensure that payments made to the ladies concerned in Britain will not impact adversely on them.

Many speakers have already spoken on the matter. I am pleased that those ladies who are still alive and those who have departed this life now know that the State believes them. That is important because it is an affirmation for them that we believe them, we accept responsibility and while we cannot give back the years that were spent in the laundries, we must try as best we can to make reparations in an efficient, effective and sensitive manner. We must learn from other schemes that were not as sensitive as they were intended to be.

I commend the Minister of State for her work. We will debate the issue further. I hope she will take some of the points I have made on board.