‘Apologies mean little without redress’ - Keogan

A CALL for an annual commemoration of ‘the lives of the vulnerable women and children’ who died in Ireland’s mother and baby homes has been made by Senator Sharon Keogan.

Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Keogan highlighted the need for concrete action on the part of the government in the form of a redress scheme, and that without it, their “apologies mean very little.”

She pledged to “keep a keen eye on the promises that the Government are making” and she will be “holding them accountable.”

“Reflecting on the lives of the 9,000 women and children who died in these homes in such sad circumstances, I would like to propose a National Day of Remembrance for them, perhaps on the first day of spring.

“We commemorate the lives of soldiers who die for the nation and the state – it is fitting then, that we commemorate the lives of the vulnerable who suffered and died due to the neglect of the nation and the state.”

The Independent Senator also called on the Taoiseach to forego the customary St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington DC in light of ongoing coronavirus travel restrictions.

Echoing the suggestion of Independent Councillor for Kerry, Charlie Farrelly, Senator Keogan recommended CervicalCheck campaigner Vicky Phelan (who is currently in the USA for experimental cancer treatment) as a suitable Irish delegate to the White House – or indeed, Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States, Daniel Mulhall, who attended US President Joe Biden’s inauguration.

Senator Keogan affirmed that such an action would give credence to the phrase that "we are all in this together."