Sinn Féin has sought a Dáil debate on the refusal
of the four religious orders that ran the Magdalene Laundries to make a
financial contribution towards the redress scheme put in place for the
survivors.
The four religious congregations have
told the Government they will not make any financial contribution to the
multimillion-euro fund set up to recompense former residents.
The Mercy Sisters, the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity, the Sisters of Charity and the Good Shepherd Sisters have informed Minister for Justice Alan Shatter in recent days that they will not pay into the fund, which could cost up to €58 million.
It is understood they have said they are willing to assist fully in all other aspects of the package recommended by Mr Justice John Quirke in his recent report, including the assembly of records and looking after former residents who remain in their care.
Sinn
Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said it was “absolutely
unacceptable” that orders had refused to financially contribute to the
Magdalene laundries redress fund.
“The bottom line
is these four religious orders, and the State, were responsible for the
effective wrongful incarceration of girls and women who were forced to
work for no pay within a brutal regime.
“Agreeing
to merely hand over records and look after elderly residents who gave
their lives to the laundries falls far short of what is expected by way
of a contribution from the religious orders.”
Ms
McDonald said she would write to the orders to ask that they reconsider
their decision, and instead make a contribution to fund that “at the
very minimum reflects the financial contribution the women made to the
commercial enterprises of the orders”.
“I have
also sought a debate under today’s Topical Issues to facilitate the
Minister for Justice to provide details to the Dáil of his discussions
with the four religious orders who ran the Magdalene Laundries,” she
added.