Bethany children must not be forgotten

Speaking in the wake of the children’s referendum, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the Government will respond “positively and wholeheartedly” and match the new legislation with appropriate action.

Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald referred to the decision of the people as giving a voice to children and was a historic day for the children of Ireland that would ensure their rights were better protected, and was an affirmation that the State recognises the ‘natural and imprescriptable rights’ of children which will be protected and vindicated by the State.

Legislation emanating from the passing of this referendum must also embrace children of the past, including children from the Bethany Homes and Magdalene laundries who have been exempted from the Residential Institutional Redress Act 2002.