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Updated 7.10pm
THE GOVERNMENT HAS confirmed that it will not be introducing a specific redress scheme for survivors of the Bethany Home.
In a statement this evening, the government said that it has decided not to introduce a redress scheme but said it is willing to look at the question of a memorial and making records related to the home available to survivors.
Bethany Home was a residential home in Dublin for ‘fallen women’ but was not included in the 2002 Residential Institutions Redress scheme as the women were said to be there voluntarily. It was also not part of the recent report into the Magadalene Laundries.
Justice Minister Alan Shatter said that he and Minister of State Kathleen Lynch met with survivors in April and had said at the time that the government did not wish to raise unrealistic expectations but would consult with colleagues on the matter.
“That consultation has now taken place and Government has decided that it is not appropriate that a scheme be put in place for Bethany Home,” Shatter said in a statement this evening.
“I understand this is disappointing for the group involved but the Government has taken its time and arrived carefully at this decision.”
Derek Leinster, a survivor of the home and chair of the Bethany Survivors Group, was not aware of the decision when contacted this evening but upon being told of it said he was “devastated” and “bewildered”.
“The fight isn’t over, you can be sure of that. Justice hasn’t been done, until it has been done we won’t stop and we’ll never give up,” he added, saying that the group would be prepared to go to court over the matter.
Prior to the announcement, Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD said Taoiseach’s Enda Kenny failure to deliver on his commitment of a decision on Bethany Home following today’s cabinet meeting was “heartless”.
She said: “The Taoiseach wrote to Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams TD yesterday stating a decision on Bethany would be made at today’s cabinet meeting. No announcement has been made.”
She also said that the pain felt by survivors has been compounded by what occurred today.
- additional reporting Aoife Barry
First published 4.48pm
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I’m disgusted with Met Eireann , no drizzle warning issued this morning , I went for a walk in the Phoenix Park and wasn’t prepared at all . Now I’m mildly damp . I’m lucky to have survived .
I’m still waiting for that “polar vortex” they promised. My tins of beans are starting to go off.
I have a vacuum cleaner in the house you can have if it’s any help as it’s just gathering dust.
Next we’ll be getting warnings about the warnings. Someone in Met Éireann loves their new toy far too much.
Was thinking same thing. Some one having way too much fun with theses warnings. It will soon be a case of the boy who cried wolf !
Loved the headline, “HISTORIC STORM EXPECTED TO HIT NEW YORK”.
As I said to my missus, “How can it be historic, it hasn’t bloody happened yet”.
“HYSTERIC HEADLINE TO HIT IRELAND” would be a good forcast for this winter. We have had our share.
Weather’s not been bad though.
Let’s cut to the chase. Is it gonna be in Dublin?
Hopefully for you not in Kildare as you won’t be able to find your sheep
Actually more likely to be Horses as there are a large amount of Studs in Kildare….
There mustn’t be too many studs, all the women come up to Dublin.
@Stephen…Are those studs the two legged version or the four legged version?
Hey ewes
Sno snice to snee snow.
3CM …..OMG thats over an inch in fact worse nearly an inch and a quarter rounded up were in for two inches of snow YIPPEE
Unfortunately many industries that rely on accurate weather forecasting don’t use Met Eireann. While I like the idea of having our own forecasting system and enjoy the presenters we need to move on towards a much more accurate and localised weather forecasting service for Western Europe and that is best achieved by integrating our Met Eireann service with the UK and Europe. I know many will not appreciate these thoughts but when vital industries subscribe to international weather services its time to overhaul our own inaccurate service. Btw does anyone know how much Met Eireann costs and how much does it earn from subscribers.
There full of wind.
Where?
Der! Can yew naught sea dem?
Ok….so they’ve given us a snow/weather warning….me thinks I’ll just get my shorts ready…normally opposite happens so I’m expecting a HEATWAVE!!!! Woo hoo. Getting the BBQ out now as I speak!!!
And we will still panic just as much as the ppl of New York! The cheek of us!
If we got what they got in New York we would be talking about it for 50yrs – and at a standstill till next week
3CM versus 3 FEET?
We as a nation can’t cope with snow…
Seems like the amount of snow due for New York was slightly exaggerated but get this. We have just had 4 inches in just 2 hours ! 4 inches of peanuts eaten from the feeder that is, plus a full days ration of sunflower hearts and the fat/seed mixture is getting some welly from the birdies too. Caught two mice in traps last night so they are heading in for a bit of heat too and I guess we are in a little cold spell of our own, never mind NY NY :-)
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