Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the release today of details of the compensation scheme for the survivors of the Magdalen laundries. The fund, in the region of €25 million to €50 million, is for the 700 women survivors and the payments will depend on the length of time spent in the laundries.

It leads me on to another matter, that of symphysiotomy. It is an issue I have raised continually in this House since I came into the Seanad two years ago. Recently, I have again been in correspondence with the Department of Health and the Minister calling for a definite date when the Walsh report can be published. I am tired of listening to my own voice asking for it every week. As recently as yesterday, I was told, yet again, that it will be published shortly. The report was due to be published in September last. It is now 26 June and we are still waiting. I call on the Minister, Deputy Reilly, to make a statement on the matter giving us a clear idea of when the report will be published. Every day that goes by without action on this is another day that we are not doing right by these women. I call on the Minister to establish a date for the publication of the Walsh report without fail and to stick to it. I call on him to make a statement on the matter for it to be published before the summer recess.