The Taoiseach has refused to say if he will apologise to the survivors of the Magdalene Laundries.

Enda Kenny met with some of the women affected yesterday along with the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

The group held a 3-hour meeting at Government Buildings.

Afterwards the survivors said they expect an apology will be forthcoming.

Last week Mr. Kenny declined to issue an apology after the McAleese Report found State involvement in the laundries.

Opposition parties rounded on the Taoiseach in the Dáil after groups representing the women expressed initial outrage that he had not given them the apology they expected.

But the Taoiseach said the report needs to be examined, reflected on and debated in the Dáil.

He has also appealed for space to decide what to do.

Speaking on his way into Government Buildings this morning the Taoiseach refused to be drawn on the issue.