Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy is aware, I cannot comment on the details of the O'Keeffe case, which has been appealed to the Supreme Court. On the costs relating to the previous case, I made it clear last March that the Government had asked the State Claims Agency, the statutory body that deals with legal fees, to approach the issue of costs in a measured and sensitive way. The agency informed Ms O'Keeffe's solicitor at that time and on the record, that while the same arrangements would have to be made in respect of costs, there was no question whatsoever of her losing her house, which was the issue. Her solicitor informed the agency that she intended to appeal the case to the Supreme Court and it was not possible to make a deal with her on the previous costs. In any event, the High Court placed a stay on the costs order pending the determination of the Supreme Court appeal.

I have stated on many occasions that I sympathise greatly with those who were subjected to abuse in our schools and in places in which they should have felt safe and protected. Child abuse, regardless of where it occurs, is devastating and victims always carry a great deal of emotional pain. There is no doubt that a huge wrong was done to young children in our schools in the past. While I feel deeply sorry for the victims, the courts have found that the State was not liable in this regard. A number of cases have been heard in the courts.

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