Like many others, I am disappointed, concerned and shocked by the refusal of the religious orders to put their hands in their pockets to contribute to the scheme of compensation for survivors of the Magdalen laundries. I urge them to reconsider their position and respond in a better way to the women whose lives have already been very damaged and who have shown great courage, strength and a capacity to persist in the face of setbacks such as this. It would do everybody a service, including the orders themselves, if they would see their way to a change of heart.