Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that the Minister, Deputy Quinn, secured Cabinet approval in the meeting yesterday to continue to seek a 50-50 share of the costs by the four religious orders that we discussed last week for the victims who suffered abuse in residential institutions. It is very important that decision was made and I hope it will be strenuously pursued.

I welcome also the statement last night by the Minister, Deputy James Reilly, that an ex gratia payment will be paid to the 35 women who were left out of the original Our Lady of Lourdes hospital redress scheme on the grounds of their age. I spoke with some of the ladies last night who were relieved that this was the end of a very long journey and that their pain and suffering has finally been acknowledged. Speaking with them I knew that meant more to them than even the financial compensation they are due. While I was disappointed that we did not have the Walsh report, something I have called for continuously in the past two years, I understand the matter was taken up at Cabinet yesterday where further information was sought by Cabinet members and that the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, will meet with various representatives of the women next week. I hope we will have a successful outcome to that in the near future because it was promised before the end of this term. I call on the Leader again to ensure we have a debate on this matter. I share Senator Ó Clochartaigh's disappointment at the announcement that the Bethany Home survivors were not included.