David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last February, the Taoiseach offered in the Dáil a very full apology to the survivors of the Magdalen laundries. Everybody in the House congratulated the Taoiseach at the time for finally facing up to the responsibilities of the State in respect of the women involved. The redress scheme was set up. Unfortunately, the religious orders, which were primarily responsible for the inhumane treatment, slave labour and forced incarceration of the women in laundries, are not facing up to their moral, ethical and financial responsibilities. This goes right to the heart of how the institutions and orders see themselves. We know what they stood for in the past and know what they stood over. This goes right to the heart of what they stand for today. If they stand for decency, supporting the women and redeeming themselves for the sins of the past, they must face up to their responsibilities. The Taoiseach has a heavy responsibility to contact the heads of the religious orders and be very assertive about the State's view that they should be forced to face up to their responsibilities. I do not want to be prescriptive about possible options for the Government but, at the very least, the Taoiseach should do as I describe. As long as the religious orders deny their responsibility and culpability in this matter, it will do untold damage to their reputation, the individuals involved and the institutions. They must face up to their responsibilities.