WOMEN WHO worked in the Magdalene laundries cannot get access to their records from the religious orders who ran the institutions, the Dáil has heard.Kathleen Lynch (Labour, Cork North-Central) said the women were now being refused contributory old-age pensions despite having worked there for decades.
She called for an amendment to privacy legislation to allow access to the records, because an invasion of privacy was being cited as the reason for failure to release them.
Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan said the Government shared her concerns but this issue was not within the scope of the Privacy Bill.
The Cork TD asked for the issue to be included in legislation “to ensure that records kept by religious bodies relating to women kept in Magdalene laundries will be made available”.
Women who worked in these laundries were now being refused their old-age contributory pension, despite the fact they worked there for so long.
“An amendment to the privacy legislation is the only way that I can see to enable this to happen, because the argument being used is that if the records were released, this would impinge on or impugn the privacy of the people whose records are held,” she said.
Mr Lenihan said this issue was not within the scope of the Privacy Bill, which would amend civil law on privacy. He referred to the meeting in April between the Taoiseach and other Ministers with survivors of institutional abuse.
Mr Cowen said at the time Government departments and agencies would be willing to help with further inquiries relating to those sent to Magdalene laundries, “including, where available, access to files to the greatest extent possible”.
Ms Lynch asked if there was a promise to introduce additional legislation, in light of the Taoiseach’s statement, to ensure access to the records.
Ceann Comhairle Séamus Kirk said no legislation was promised.
SIC: IT