An apology is worth nothing without action

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has offered an overdue apology to Joanne Hayes, the woman caught in the Kerry Babies maelstrom. Ms Hayes was treated appallingly by powerful actors of our State.

She was let down appallingly both by the State and by her society “and that needs to change”, the Taoiseach said.

One wonders what changes Mr Varadkar is thinking of and will there be accountability?

For not everything can be fixed with an apology – saying sorry is a necessary step in acknowledging wrong but it is not the only step. In the aftermath of the recognition of a terrible injustice, there can be a tendency to gloat at the past and console ourselves that such things could never happen in the “enlightened times” of today. The Ireland of 1984 was another country, we do things differently now.

That is true, but only up to a point. Joanne Hayes found herself hounded and traduced; it is vital that the hurt she suffered be recognised. But how confident are we that our society gives full protection to other women who are vulnerable and in need of help? Advocacy groups will attest to the low numbers prepared to come forward and press charges in sexual violence cases because of the way women find themselves treated in our adversarial legal system.

Reports over the years have highlighted the shameful under-investigation of domestic violence. And women still find themselves way down the pecking order when it comes to pay and status equality.

Real societal change comes about when there is full disclosure and exposure. When there is no institutional tolerance for discrimination. When inequality becomes an anachronism and not an everyday reality. Mr Varadkar’s apology was no doubt sincere but for it to have real meaning we must have confidence that the powerful are also accountable. A frightened and victimised woman must know that her rights are as inviolate as the reputations of our institutions. That certainly was not the case in 1984, but how sure are we that it is so different today?