Enda Kenny's State apology to the Magdalene women

Not many politicians have broken down in Dáil Eireann. Kenny, as Taoiseach, did so on one occasion in February 2013.

Two weeks after receiving a report into the treatment of women who lived in Magdalene Laundries, he stood up to give a personal apology to the survivors - many of whom sat in the gallery above him.

With tears in his eyes, and a quiver in his voice, he addressed them by saying, "Let me conclude by again speaking directly to the women whose experiences in Magdalene Laundries have negatively affected their subsequent lives.

"As a society, for many years we failed you. We forgot you or, if we thought of you at all, we did so in untrue and offensive stereotypes.
"This is a national shame, for which I again say, I am deeply sorry and offer my full and heartfelt apologies."

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