Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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162. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the action he has taken in view of the publication of the second periodic report of the Holy See on the Rights of the Child; if he will set out the details of any correspondence he has had with the four relevant religious orders regarding financial contributions and the reports urging an internal investigation into the conduct of religious personnel working in the Magdalen laundries; if he will ensure that all those responsible for the offences be sanctioned and reported to national judicial authorities for prosecution purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9748/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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With regard to a financial contribution being made by the four religious congregations concerned, I discussed this matter with representatives of the four religious congregations in June 2013. Having reflected on the matter, all four declined to make a contribution. Following a discussion of the issue at Government in July 2013, I wrote to the congregations expressing disappointment that they had decided not to make a financial contribution, pointing out that the Government was of the view that the congregations had a moral obligation to do so, and urged them to reconsider. The congregations responded reaffirming their position.

I wrote to the religious congregations again on this matter several weeks ago following a statement made by the Holy See to the United Nations Committee on the Right of the Child (UNCRC) in relation to the Magdalen Laundries. I have received responses from two of the congregations advising that their position is unchanged and I am awaiting a response form the other two congregations.

I have also written to the Holy See to request clarification with regard to their statement to the the UNCRC Committee and its recommendations.

I have written to the UNCRC Committee itself in the light of their concluding observations on the second periodic report of the Holy See and have asked the Committee to forward any evidence they may have of criminal behaviour having being committed in the Magdalen Laundries for the purpose of criminal investigation and possible prosecution.