Taoiseach Micheál Martin issues a State apology to survivors of abuse in industrial and reformatory schools in the Dáil on Wednesday. Photograph: Oireachtas TV
25 February 2026 by Ellen Coyne
Overview
The article examines the 26-year history of State apologies in Ireland, beginning with Bertie Ahern’s 1999 apology to institutional abuse survivors, and questions whether words have been matched by meaningful action.
Key Points:
History of State Apologies: Every Taoiseach since Ahern has issued at least one major apology—mostly to survivors of religious-run institutions. Examples include Enda Kenny (Magdalene Laundries, 2013), Leo Varadkar (CervicalCheck and homosexuality criminalisation), Simon Harris (Stardust), and Micheál Martin (mother and baby homes, 2021; institutional abuse, 2026).
Origin Story: Ahern’s 1999 apology was prompted by survivor Christine Buckley and a meeting with Micheál Martin (then Minister for Education). Survivors asked Martin to “tell us you believe us”—a moment he later described as the “catalyst” for the apology.
Recent Catalyst: In late 2025, four survivors held a 51-day hunger strike outside Leinster House, protesting inadequate State support. Their action led to promises of financial assistance, social housing, healthcare support, and this week’s apology from Martin.
The Gap Between Words and Action: The article highlights that apologies have often been followed by insufficient action. Examples include:
The 2013 Magdalene support scheme, criticised as narrow and exclusionary.
The 1999 indemnity deal with religious orders, allowing them to contribute €128 million in return for legal immunity.
Ahern’s apology was followed by a controversial deal with religious orders.
The Coming Test: The recently established McGrath Commission is investigating historical child sexual abuse in schools, following a scoping inquiry that detailed 2,395 allegations across 308 schools. A redress scheme is expected, potentially the largest in State history, with up to 40,000 survivors eligible. Government sources have warned of significant costs.
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