Magdalene Laundries motion ‘premature’

The Government has described as "premature" a Sinn Féin Dáil motion seeking an apology from the State to the women of the Magdalene Laundries.

Kathleen Lynch, junior minister at the Department of Health, said the Government "would not make any assertions" in advance of the publication of Senator Martin McAleese’s inter- departmental report into state complicity at the laundries.

Ms Lynch, who staunchly supported the Justice for Magdalene’s campaign while in opposition, said "the facts remain undetermined" as both sides of the Magdalene story had never been told in court or in a tribunal of inquiry.

Advocacy groups for the Magdalene survivors and the religious orders are taking part in Mr McAleese’s investigation. Its final report is due to be published by the end of the year.

Its publication date was postponed earlier this month as "significant levels of new documentation is still being identified", said Ms Lynch.

Sinn Féin’s private member’s motion — seeking an apology to victims, access to pensions for the women and redress — was supported by Fianna Fáil and up to 17 independent TDs.

Jonathan O’Brien, Sinn Féin’s education spokesman, said: "The Government’s rejection of this motion is a travesty."