Seán KENNY TD SEEKS APOLOGY FROM STATE TO MAGDALENES

Posted on July 11, 2011 2:18 PM   |   Permanent Link   

The Dublin North East Labour TD, Seán Kenny, has today called on the Irish State to make an apology to the survivors of the Magdalene Laundries.

He said: "I welcome the Inter-departmental Committee of Inquiry, to be headed by Independent Chair, Senator Martin McAleese and I was pleased to learn that all government departments and their records will be considered available to the Committee's work. I also welcome the fact that Minister Shatter has assured the Justice For Magdalene's campaign that the development of a narrative of State interaction with the Magdalene Laundries will consider acts of omission on the part of the State, in particular the State's failure to inspect and regulate and thereby prevent abuse in the laundries.

"I have to say though, that I regret that the State has not yet issued a formal apology to the women despite the fact that an apology is what a great many of the women would wish for. I think it is important to point out that in order to restore their dignity, an apology must be issued.

"I know, and am aware of, the legal implications that an apology may bring and the State's concern in that regard. But the fact remains that the United Nations Committee Against Torture has already found the Irish State liable for the terrible abuses committed in Magdalene Laundries. The Committee stated that it was "gravely concerned at the failure by the State party to protect girls and women who were involuntarily confined between 1922 and 1996 in the Magdalene Laundries, by failing to regulate their operations and inspect them...." "

"The State, including the Government and individual deputies like myself have to remember that the issue of the Magdalene Laundries is fundamentally about the women who spent time in the institutions. It is also about their children. Many survivors are aging and elderly. Some women feel that both Church and State have pursued a policy of denial until absolutely necessary. It is for their sakes that the Church and State consider offering an apology" Deputy Kenny concluded.