Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the proposal to return records of the Magdalene laundries to the religious institutions; if he agrees that in the interests of the victims, a copy of all records should be kept by the inquiry team in a safe and secure place in case access is needed at a future stage; if he will request the inquiry team to ensure that this is done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32534/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the Inter-Departmental Committee which is independently chaired by Senator Martin McAleese was set up by Government to establish the facts of State involvement with the Magdalen Laundries, to clarify any State interaction, and to produce a narrative detailing such interaction. The working arrangements of the Committee are entirely a matter for the committee and the independent Chair.

I can advise that, separate to the work of the Committee, I have held discussions with the religious congregations regarding their records. They have advised me that it is already the practice that individuals who were in a Magdalen laundry and make a request are given access to records relating to them. The religious congregations have also indicated their willingness to discuss the general question of long term retention of and access to records.