Magdalen survivors compensation decision
The Taoiseach rejected claims that the Government was playing games with Magdalen survivors, saying the long-awaited report required careful consideration, including its financial recommendations and the women’s age and health. He promised McDonald that a decision would be made as quickly as possible.
To say we are playing games with the Magdalen women is an outrageous statement. Long before Deputy McDonald and I were born, this situation arose and no Government in the history of the State did anything about it. It was swept aside and under the carpet. Everybody in this House accepted that the appointment of Mr. Justice Quirke to look at the Magdalen situation was the way to go. He undertook to have a report back inside 12 weeks or three months.
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Which we now have. Having waited 60, 70 or more years, it is only right and proper that this matter deserves real consideration by the Minister for Justice and Equality.
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It has not been considered thus far.
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The Deputy says the Minister is cogitating and pondering, as she termed it. I wish to assure her that the reason we wanted the terms of reference set out in the way they were for Mr. Justice Quirke was to recognise the medical and health circumstances of many of the women involved, to recognise their infirmity and age in some cases and that time was not on their side or that of anyone else. It is right and proper that we should give this issue serious consideration. A financial element is included and Mr. Justice Quirke has made a number of recommendations. I expect that the Minister will come to the Cabinet inside the next two weeks. The report will be published immediately once the Cabinet has considered its decisions and recommendations. Once the process is decided upon, there will be no delay by the Government in following through. I hope it will be possible to agree on the process with the Magdalen women and deal with it effectively in their interests, having in mind the history of their trauma and distress.
We are not playing games in the case of Bethany Home situation which is different. Once the Minister has considered all of the implications for Bethany Home and a number of other smaller units, that decision will also be made by the Government.
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We are over time. Will the Deputy please allow the Taoiseach to continue without interruption?
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This matter has been raised for years.