To vote against symphysiotomy bill would be a betrayal of victims

A FEW weeks ago, I wrote here that the Taoiseach’s apology to the women who had survived the hardship and abuse of the Magdalene Laundries represented significant social progress, for which he deserved a lot of congratulations.

It was heartfelt and sincere. In fact it was clear that in the time between his botched statement in the Dáil and the detailed apology he made, he had learned a lot. His meetings with the Magdalene women had clearly made a huge impression on him.

It was also clear at the time that the Taoiseach’s statement represented unfinished business for our State and our political system. Indeed, in his earlier attempt to address the issue of the Magdalene women — the one that he was much criticised over — the Taoiseach said in the Dáil that he was sorry for those people that they lived in that kind of environment. He went on to say “we have seen what happened to the women who underwent symphysiotomies, or Thalidomide victims, or those who were in mental hospitals — or lunatic asylums as they were referred to in those days — or many other places.”