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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Bethany Home survivors’ redress

Summary

Mary Lou McDonald seeks legislation and redress for Bethany Home survivors; the Taoiseach says no legislation is promised, though the issue has been considered by successive governments.

Today at Mount Jerome Cemetery in Harold's Cross a memorial stone will be unveiled to mark the spot in which 221 babies and young children, who died in the Bethany Home in Rathgar between 1922 and 1949, are buried. The State has consistently turned away from the small number of survivors of this home. They have been refused recognition, have received no apology and have been consistently excluded from any redress scheme the State has introduced. When does the Government propose to introduce legislation to give effect to these victims' rights and bring them within the net of a redress scheme? When does the Government propose to give them the recognition they so desperately need and deserve? Does the Taoiseach propose to make an apology on behalf of the State to these children, who happen to come from Protestant churches? Many of them believe they have actively been discriminated against because of their faith beliefs?

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Is there promised legislation here?

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

There is not any legislation promised in this area. It has been the subject of ministerial discussion and decision over the course of a number of governments, but no legislation is promised here.

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