The Taoiseach says a Dáil motion by Fianna Fáil calling for an apology for the women of the Magdalene Laundries shows “scant regard” for those who lived and worked in the laundries.
Enda Kenny has already signalled during a meeting with some women yesterday that he will deliver an apology during a Dáil debate next week.
He met with some of the women affected yesterday along with the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.
The group held a 3-hour meeting at Government Buildings.
Afterwards the survivors said they expect an apology will be forthcoming.
Criticism over lack of apology
Last week Mr. Kenny declined to issue an apology after the McAleese Report found State involvement in the laundries.
Opposition parties rounded on the Taoiseach in the Dáil after groups representing the women expressed initial outrage that he had not given them the apology they expected.
But the Taoiseach said the report needs to be examined, reflected on and debated in the Dáil.
He says the issue is complex and requires a depth of understanding from the report and needs to be treated with sensitivity and respect.
And the Taoiseach says that is not what Fianna Fáil is doing with their motion tonight and tomorrow.
“The Fianna Fail Party I know have a motion down; I would have thought having given a clear signal of what we like to do here, that a political motion put in this way shows scant respect for the authors of the report – and less respect for the persons for whom it’s about” he said.
“And I would have thought that everybody in the Oireachtas – of all parties and none – would reflect on what is the best thing to do here” he added.
Fianna Fail Justice Spokesperson Niall Collins explains why they are bringing the motion.
