I call on Deputy McDonald. The same rule applies. The question must be on the programme for Government or promised legislation.

Last week or perhaps the week before, in response to questions on promised legislation and the programme for Government, the Taoiseach indicated that the Government would deal in a whole and compassionate way with survivors of the Magdalen laundries. Over the course of the weekend, I read that under the scheme women who worked in the laundries when they were girls under the age of 12 will be asked to provide evidence that they worked in these institutions. That goes against the grain of everything that has been said repeatedly on the floor of the Dáil. It certainly does not represent anything compassionate and is causing terrible strife and anxiety. I ask the Taoiseach, as Head of Government, if he will amend, change or revisit whatever part of the scheme or legislation that needs to be changed to ensure this impossible demand is not made of these women, who were only very young children at the time.

The object of this exercise is to ensure that these women can receive closure. That will involve the issue of providing them with appropriate compensation. I expect this process will commence in the coming weeks with a view to dealing with as many as possible of the outstanding claims before the end of this year.

The Minister did not answer the question.

I have no control over that.

It is a specific issue which concerns girls younger than 12 years.

I am not going to-----

They are asking for evidence which people cannot provide owing to the passage of time.

There is no precedent. Does the Minister have a quick answer?

My Department is liaising on an individual basis with either the women concerned or their representatives to ensure no undue hardship will be imposed.