Saying Sorry and Meaning It!

The Irish Government has apologised for the wrongs that were done to children, who in previous generations, lived in institutional care within its boundary of responsibility.

Bernadette Fahy read out the Irish Government's apology at a forum of counsellors in Perth in February, saying that she believed it was a "genuine and unmitigated expression of sorrow for the wrongs of past". The Government has backed up its apology with a range of initiatives to redress, "in so far as is possible", these wrongs. The package includes the equivalent of more than $8-million for the provision of services.

The response of the Irish Government contrasts with the Australian Government's response to the British Inquiry into the Welfare of Child Migrants. Our own Government has indicated that there will be "no apology" - although it does express "regret" and offers additional funding of $120,000 to the Child Migrant Trust in 1999-2000.

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