Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I also welcome the statement made by the Government last night. This statement was made almost a week after the publication of the Ryan report and came in the aftermath of overwhelming public outrage with regard to the contents of that report. As I understand it, the Government is proposing that the religious orders should make further contributions, that some mechanism can be found to house those contributions - perhaps a trust along the lines I have been suggesting - and that a means by which the public might assess the significance of those contributions, in the context of the assets, financial circumstances, etc., of the religious orders, will be put in place.

It is important that this exercise should not become some kind of repeat of the sweetheart deal that was done in 2002. As a result, there is a need for clarity with regard to what is intended. In replying to Deputy Kenny's inquiries, the Taoiseach has now stated on two occasions that the approach he intends to take is to hear what the congregations have to say and, in a sense, discover what they are offering. Does he have an idea of the quantum of what would be acceptable in this instance? What amount of further contributions does he feel would be appropriate? The Taoiseach will recall that when the 2002 was being drawn up, the Department of Finance recommended that the contributions of the State and the congregations should be on a 50-50 basis. Is he of the view that the congregations should make further contributions which would reflect this or is he going to accept whatever is offered?

The Government statement in respect of this matter indicates that the contributions might be dealt with by way of a trust, which would be a good way to proceed. However, some of the congregations seem to be suggesting that it might be done by way of provision of services, including counselling services. I suspect that the last source from which the victims of these awful crimes would want to seek counselling would be the orders whose members inflicted abuse on them in the first instance. In such circumstances, is the Taoiseach in a position to assure us that these further contributions will be made in material terms, namely, in the form of money, property or other assets?

By what means will the public be able to assess the level of further contributions made? How are we to assess both the appropriate level of contribution and the amount the congregations will be in a position to contribute? As Deputy Kenny asked - Deputy Burton posed the same question yesterday - will an independent audit be carried out in respect of the congregations and their assets? Could such an audit be carried out by the Revenue Commissioners or the Criminal Assets Bureau in order that we might assess the level of assets in existence? One of these agencies might also investigate whether congregations have been transferring out assets in anticipation of any request for a further contribution. Will the Taoiseach provide an assurance that any deal resulting from the discussions between the Government and the congregations will be brought before the House for its consideration and approval?

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