Are State Apologies Healing the Nation or Hurting Its Finances?

In this episode, Niall sits down with social commentator Karl Deeter to examine the Government’s latest commitment to issue a State apology to Ireland’s thalidomide survivors.

After the Taoiseach initially declined to confirm whether an apology would be forthcoming, a subsequent “constructive” meeting with representatives signalled that a formal apology is now on the way — potentially opening the door to further redress.

Over the past two decades, the Irish State has issued a series of landmark apologies: to survivors of industrial schools, the Magdalene Laundries, victims of clerical abuse, and those affected by Mother and Baby Homes, among others. In many cases, apologies have been accompanied by substantial financial compensation schemes, costing the State billions.

There is little disagreement that grave wrongs were done — and that victims deserve recognition. But this conversation goes deeper:

As a society, we inevitably make mistakes — and we will make more. In twenty years’ time, will another generation be apologising for today’s policies?

Should the modern taxpayer continue to shoulder the financial burden of historic failures? Is compensation a moral necessity, or has the State created a model where apology and redress are now inseparable?

And crucially — does the process of apology help us learn from the past, or has it become a political and financial reflex?

It’s a thoughtful, challenging discussion about accountability, justice, public money, and whether saying sorry is enough — or too costly to sustain.