National Women’s Council welcomes Labour Parliamentary Party call for formal apology

Published: Wednesday, February 06, 2013

The National Women's Council welcomes the Labour Parliamentary Party call for a formal apology to the survivors of the Magdalene laundries.

Rachel Doyle, Head of Outreach, National Women's Council of Ireland said,

'We warmly welcome the statement by the Labour Parliamentary Party that the women of the Magdalene laundries 'should be vindicated and honoured, and that they should receive justice, and the issuing of a formal apology by the Government needs to be addressed in this context'. '

She added,

 'It is clear that the time has come for a full, formal and unreserved apology from the Irish Government to the survivors of the Magdalene laundries to bring the 'healing and peace of mind to all concerned' referred to in the Mc Aleese report. A full apology is the first step in bringing a sense of dignity, respect and justice to the women survivors whose lives in and outside of the laundries were and continue to be characterised by physical and psychological suffering, poverty and stigma.'

Rachel Doyle concluded,

'We urge the Taoiseach and the Irish Government to take a stand for justice and to do what is right, by fully acknowledging and apologising for the suffering and violation of human rights that thousands of women endured at the hands of the State. The remaining survivors, and the families of those who have died have a right to this and Irish society including all political parties should demand it.'

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For more information, contact Silke Paasche, Communications Officer, National Women's Council of Ireland, Tel. 085 8589104