At what stage in this process will the penny finally drop for the Minister that this legislation is not fit for purpose?
Government TDs should be allowed a vote of conscience on a controversial Bill giving effect to the redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes, according to Holly Cairns of the Social Democrats.
Deputy Cairns made her call ahead of the second stage of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022, which will be debated in the Dáil tomorrow (Thursday, October 27).
“This is a highly emotive issue and I suspect that some members of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party privately harbour deep reservations about this Bill’s failure to address the litany of human rights abuses perpetrated against women and children at the hands of the State, religious orders and pharmaceutical companies.
“Given the sensitivities involved, Coalition TDs should be allowed a free vote on this ridiculous piece of legislation, without fear of sanction from their parties.
“One of the central tenets of restorative justice is that survivors of institutional abuse should not be retraumatised during the process – yet this Bill will do exactly that. Thousands will also be ineligible for the scheme, including children who spent less than six months in a mother and baby home or those who suffered abuse when boarded out.
“Despite calls for major changes to be made to the redress scheme, the Government seems intent on ploughing ahead with its deeply flawed Bill.
“At what stage in this process will the penny finally drop for the Minister that this legislation is not fit for purpose and is insulting to survivors and their families?
“All TDs should be allowed to vote with their conscience on this matter given the scale of public opposition to this shameful scheme.”
October 26, 2022