Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education Charlie McConalogue has said that the women of the Magdalene Laundries are owed a full apology following the publication of a report last week confirming State involvement in the institutions.
The Donegal Deputy was speaking ahead of a Dáil debate this week on a Fianna Fáil motion calling on the Taoiseach to issue a full and unqualified apology to the Magdalene survivors on behalf of the State.
“The report published last week confirms details of a dark chapter of recent Irish history. There is no denying the fact that the treatment of these women by society and by the State was wrong. The report published last week confirms a significant level of State involvement in the Magdalene Laundries and I believe that the women are owed a full and unqualified apology for that,” Deputy McConalogue said.
In addition to the call for an apology, the Fianna Fáil motion calls for establishment of a dedicated unit within the Department of Justice to co-ordinate the State’s response to the McAleese report on the Magdalene Laundries. This includes all forms of redress for the survivors.
Deputy McConalogue continued, “It is important that the issue of an apology for these women is addressed in a timely way by the Dáil. Unfortunately, the Government’s response to the report last week was deeply disappointing. The Magdalene women and their families, who had waited too long for vindication, are left feeling angry and let down.
“The Fianna Fáil motion in the Dáil this week will provide an important opportunity for the Taoiseach, the Justice Minister and the Government to do what they should have done last week and apologise to these women on behalf of the State.
“I am hopeful that this debate will give representatives on all sides of the House an opportunity to show the Magdalene survivors and their families that the Oireachtas acknowledges their suffering and takes seriously their need for an apology and a comprehensive response from the State,” Deputy McConalogue said.
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