Government failed us on all fronts

THREE months ago, the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) published its assessment of abuses in the Magdalene laundries.

On the same day, the Taoiseach referred the report to the Attorney General for review and evaluation. Nothing has been heard since.

The outgoing government’s failure to act on behalf of vulnerable citizens is part of its legacy.

That the country continues in a state of economic crisis is no excuse. Political leadership is defined at precisely such moments by its ability never to lose sight of the common people and their concerns.

By every measure, Mr Cowen and his government failed that test.

The IHRC assessment outlines significant human rights violations. The assessment concludes with an unambiguous recommendation: “that a statutory mechanism be established to investigate the matters advanced by JFM and in appropriate cases to grant redress where warranted.”

JFM sought an independent assessment from the IHRC only after meeting with various government departments. But, even when confronted with unassailable evidence of state complicity and collusion in the laundries, the political response was one of delay, denial, and obfuscation.

We also sought to engage the Catholic Church: Cardinal Brady encouraged JFM to continue working towards justice and reconciliation; CORI and the religious congregations rejected every offer to discuss our campaign.

No one in government was willing to bridge this divide. Ministers refused to initiate a conversation between state, religious congregations, and survivors. The outgoing government failed in this regard too.

This general election must be about more than the economic crisis, the IMF-EU bailout, the creation of jobs, and the troubling return of emigration.

James M Smith

Associate Professor English Department & Irish Studies Programme

Boston College

Chestnut Hill

MA

USA