FF responds to Magdalen Laundries Report
Published on: 05 February 2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Justice Niall Collins has expressed disappointment at the Government’s response to the report into State involvement with the Magdalen Laundries.
Deputy Collins said, “I welcome the publication of this report and the work carried out by Martin McAleese and his team. This investigation should have been carried out before now, and in my view it was a mistake not to extend the Ryan Commission to these institutions.
“The survivors of the Magdalen Laundries and their families have been waiting for far too long for an unreserved apology from the State and some form of redress for what they went through. I am surprised and deeply disappointed that they are still waiting for this today. Instead, the Taoiseach and the Justice Minister have appeared to almost downplay what happened, emphasising the number of people who were in the laundries for less than a year and stopping short of a full apology and commitment to redress. The tone set by the Government today is in stark contrast to the comments of Enda Kenny, Eamon Gilmore, Alan Shatter, Kathleen Lynch and others while in opposition.
“Everyone is united in the belief that the stigma that many of these women feel is unjustified, and while it is important to make this point, it should not be the primary focus of Government’s response. What happened in the Magdalen Laundries was wrong and we as a country need to acknowledge this and apologise. I am surprised that having done the right thing in setting up this investigation, the Government is now holding back and refusing to give these women the straightforward and unreserved apology they need and deserve.”