IRELAND
Irish Independent

21 February 2013

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny took care not to blame the Catholic Church for the “national shame” of the Magdalene Laundries – in marked contrast to the hard-hitting approach of Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore.

He only mentioned the Catholic Church once in his much-praised Dail speech, whereas Mr Gilmore managed to fit in six fairly damning references.

The Labour leader spoke about how the State “bowed” to the Catholic Church and “colluded” with it and how the moment of justice for the Magdalene women began with rolling back the “dominance” of one church.

In what was very much a “good cop, bad cop” routine, Mr Kenny outlined details of the compensation scheme for the survivors – and Mr Gilmore issued the demand for a contribution from the four religious congregations who ran the Magdalene Laundries.

A government source said that the speeches of both men had…