merrion street

Justice Minister Alan Shatter today annouced the appointment of Senator Dr. Martin McAleese as the Chairperson of the Inter-departmental Committee on the Magdalene Laundries.

The purpose of the Inter-departmental Committee will be to clarify any State interaction with the Magdalene Laundries and to produce a narrative detailing such interaction.

Announcing the appointment Minister Shatter said

I am delighted that Senator McAleese has agreed to take on the important role of Chairperson of the Inter-departmental Committee....He is a person of the highest integrity whose presence on the Committee will, I believe, both enhance it’s stature and, importantly, reassure everyone concerned that the role of Chairperson of the Inter-departmental Committee is a truly independent one

An initial report is to be made to Cabinet on the progress being made by the Inter-departmental Committee within 3 months of it’s first meeting.