Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

The Minister has informed the House that there are 2,000 cases pending. This figure does not take into account the potential impact of the Supreme Court decision in respect of the O'Neill judgment in the High Court last month. If the High Court judgment stands — I do not wish to speculate on the outcome in this regard — the cost involved will be substantially higher because a cohort people previously unable to claim, those between 18 and 21 years at the time the abuse occurred — will be able to claim.

If that happens the current total of €1.1 billion, for which the State will have to pick up the tab, will escalate further. In this context, will the Minister consider reopening the outrageous deal entered into by this State in 2002 with the religious orders whereby effectively they are handing the State €128 million, a substantial amount of which has yet to be paid, despite the fact that the total cost of the scheme is in excess of €1 billion? I put it to the Minister that if we lose in the Supreme Court, he should consider reopening the indemnity deal which his party put in place in 2002.

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