Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Government's approval yesterday for the national centre for research and remembrance, to be located at the site of the former Magdalen laundry on Seán McDermott Street in Dublin city centre. The centre will serve as a national memorial to honour all those who were resident in mother and baby homes, industrial schools, reformatories, Magdalen laundries and related institutions. I welcome that it will comprise a museum and exhibition space led by the National Museum of Ireland, a place of reflection and remembrance and also, according to the press release from the Department, it will contribute to the social and economic development in Dublin's north-east inner city. The site will encompass social housing, local community facilities, and educational and early learning facilities. These commitments must be delivered on. It will provide digital access, making it truly national and international, which is welcome.I welcome the involvement of the National Archives and the National Museum of Ireland in that respect. I note in the press release that the proposals of the national centre were developed by the Secretary to the Government, following informal consultations with key advocates and stakeholders and were brought to Government jointly by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. These proposals will require a consistent and collaborative approach with communities and survivors. The steering group that will be established should include survivors and the local communities.

Lastly, this is a very important step forward in a very long-fought battle by survivors and their advocates to secure an appropriate memorial to the women and children who endured horrific institutional abuse under the State’s watch. Their stories will not only finally be told but will be protected and preserved for future generations. That is something that we can all get behind. Also we acknowledge the huge amount of work of local and community activists who have worked for years in advancing a vision for that site.